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Strong Second Half
Propels AU Men’s Basketball to Third Win |
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By Paul Carmany, AU Sports Information Trailing by three points at the intermission, the Ashland University men’s basketball team scorched the nets in the second 20 minutes to earn an 84-71 win over Puerto Rico-Cayey on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 23). The victory gives the Eagles a third-place finish in the Florida Gulf Coast Hillmyer-Tremont Tip-Off Classic. Ashland enters its brief Thanksgiving break with a 3-2 mark. Puerto Rico-Cayey remains winless at 0-7. It was Puerto Rico-Cayey that shot the lights out in the first half, knocking down 59.3 percent (16-27) of its field goals. That offensive proficiency provided Cayey with a 45-42 halftime edge. As previously mentioned, the Eagles came to life in the second half, connecting on field goals at a 55.6 percent (20-36) clip. Not only did they shoot the ball well, but their size and depth took their toll on Cayey. Just seven players saw action for Cayey, and AU owned a 45-28 rebounding edge in the game. Pulling down a game-high 10 of those caroms was Justin Brown. Brown also led all players with a season-best 24 points, recording his second double-double of the young season. Vahn Knight fashioned one of his best performances of the year, totaling 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Rob McRae finished with 13 points and four boards. Point guard Bret Bartlett gave Ashland a fourth player in double digits, knocking down a trio of three-pointers on his way to 11 points and three assists. Emmanuel Rivera led Cayey with 20 points, six rebounds and three assists. Ashland will visit West Virginia Wesleyan (0-4) on Saturday (Nov. 26) at 2 p.m. That contest will be the Eagles’ final non-conference tune-up before they open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition at Lake Superior State on Dec. 1. |