Photo by Kami Wood

McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College men's basketball team returned to the win column on Thursday, defeating the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies at home 71-63.

For the first 13 minutes of the first half, and the final seven minutes of the second half, the Tigers looked unstoppable, but for the 20 minutes in between, they looked completely out of sorts. The Aggies played a 1-3-1 zone the entire game, which wasn't a surprise for the Tiger offense, and defensively they knew they had to try and contain the Aggies' star, Rayquan Elliot, who is averaging over 30 points per game this season.

The Tigers had a good game plan offensively, and early in the game they got the looks they wanted, and knocked down shots. However, during that 20 minute lull in the middle of the game, those same shots wouldn't fall. Defensively, they held Elliot to just 13 points in the first half, but early in the second half he started to find his groove, finishing with 30 points.

The Tigers led the Aggies by three at the break, 38-35, but out of the intermission, the Aggies opened with a 12-0 run to take the lead 47-38 just four minutes into the second frame. The Tigers would not regain the lead until the 2:56 mark, and would not surrender the lead again.

Key Statistic

The Tigers did a great job pounding the glass. They finished with 42 rebounds, 20 of them coming on the offensive glass.

By the Numbers

Offensively the Tigers shot 39% from the floor, making 25 of 64 attempts.

They started out hot from behind the three point arc making 6 of 12 in the first half, but in the second half they went 2 for 20 to finish the game at 25%

At the free throw line they were 13 of 19 (68%).

The Tigers won the turnover battle 15 to 18, and also out-rebounded the Aggies 42 to 31.

Three Tigers scored in double figures, led by Reece Warren with 18.

Andre Shelby had another double double with 11 points, and 18 rebounds.

Tiger Leaders

Points: Reece Warren (18)

Rebounds: Andre Shelby (8)             

Assists: Andre Shelby (7)

Steals: Andre Shelby (2)

Blocks: Andre Shelby (4)                                                                 

Coach Quote
 
"Happy for the guys to pull it out.  It definitely wasn't pretty.  Again, kind of two different halves of basketball for us.  I thought early on in the first half we got some quality possessions and shot the ball well inside and outside.  They closed the half with a lot of momentum and that carried into the second half.  After the break, I really felt we got similar looks that we got the first half, we just didn't make them. Credit to OPSU, they were short handed on bodies and their zone was a difference maker throughout the game.  The last five minutes, we were able to finally speed the game up and create some turnovers and convert them to baskets.  Conference wins are not easy to come by, every night is a battle and we found a way to finish in the end.  I really thought Reece and Shelby did a good job throughout the night. Joc and Malachi did a good job containing their top guy, for the post part we had good moments making him work for his shots.  Have a tough test ahead of us on Saturday versus a very good Wayland Baptist team to close out the semester." – Coach Tony Romero

Next Up
 
The Tigers are now 4-7 overall, and 2-4 in the SAC. They will be back in action Saturday at home against Wayland Baptist University in a 3:45 match-up.