Photo by Kami Wood
Bethany, Okla. – The Central Christian College men's basketball team opened the new year with a big road win on Thursday, 83-75 over the Southwestern Christian University Eagles. Coming in to Thursday's contest, the Eagles were still looking for the first win on the season.

The Tigers were a little slow out of the gate, while the 0-6 Eagles shot the ball extremely well. At the end of the first half, the Tigers trailed home squad by six, 46-40. The script was flipped in the second half. The Tigers shot the ball at over 50% from the floor while the Eagles, who shot 57% in the opening frame, cooled way down to just 35% in the second.

The Tigers outscored the Eagles in the second half 43-29 to secure the 8 point win. Jevarrick Butler led all scorers in the game with 23 points, one of three Tigers to score in double figures. Andre Shelby had one of the more interesting stat lines of the year. He was held to zero points, but recorded 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.  

Key Statistic

Three point shooting was one of the differences in the game. The Tigers hit on 11 of 25 from beyond the arc while the Eagles were just 4 of 17.

By the Numbers

For the game, the Tigers made 32 of 70 (46%) of their attempts from the floor.

At the free throw line, the Tigers were 8 of 14 (57%).

The Tigers won the turnover battle 9 to 11, and outrebounded the Eagles 43 to 38.

Tiger Leaders

Points: Jevarrick Butler (23)
Rebounds: Andre Shelby (14)           
Assists: Andre Shelby (7)
Steals: Andre Shelby, Chris Whitten (2)
Blocks: Malachi Farr (1)
                                                                                                         
Coaches Quote:

"It was nice to get back to competing after a long break and a stretch of practices just going at one another.  Tonight's game was a tail of two halves, the first half I really thought we underachieved on the defensive side of the ball, we didn't really impact their offense with our defense.  We did a decent job getting good looks early in the half on offense, just didn't convert.  The second half, we were much more engaged with one another on defense and finishing plays.  Offensively, I was proud of us sharing the basketball.   A lot of guys played well tonight, I do want to highlight Andre Shelby, he didn't really get going as far as made baskets, but impacted the game in so many way, his leadership, toughness, defense were all big reasons we had an opportunity to win tonight. He walked away from the game with zero points, but cleaned the boards with 14 and led the team in assists with 7. No rest, as we go back on the road to play another tough opponent in Mid America Christian University." – Coach Romero

Next Up
 
The Tigers (6-6, 3-3), go back on the road again on Saturday, travelling back down to OKC for a match-up with the Mid-America Christian University Evangels. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:45 pm.