COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women duked it out with Belhaven University in the home opener for men's basketball, losing a hard-fought battle, 84-81, at Pohl Gym. The Owls fell to 0-3 and the Blazers improved to 1-2 on the season.
Both clubs went well above their scoring averages coming in. BU had a 60.0 points per game average, while The W was at 55.0 p.p.g. That was largely attributed to each team registering double-digit totals for three-point field goals made: Belhaven was 12-for-27 and MUW was 13-of-34.
"We knew coming in that they averaged ten made three-point field goals per game." Owls Head Coach
Dean Burrows said. "Their four best shooters combined for 11 of their 12 makes from beyond the arc. We did a good job of taking them out of a few things they liked doing in their first two games. But we also allowed them too many second and third chance opportunities. They were more aggressive than us off the bounce."
"We did get contributions from all twelve guys who got on the court.
Kenterrius Davison sparked us on a few occasions by taking two more charges (giving him five total now in two games), which for us, is the best play in basketball, as it is all about sacrifice and heart. Shon Thomas gave us some great minutes off the bench and
Clay Blanton stayed ready for when his number was called and did what he does. It stings because we had our opportunities at the end to close the deal and didn't. But we talked about how one or two plays down the stretch doesn't determine the outcome. It's what occurs for all 40 minutes and we continue to work towards playing a full forty."
MUW's offense was led by the tandem of
Milos Zeradjanin and
Trey Jackson, with each booking 16 points. Each made six field goals (Zeradjanin in 16 attempts; Jackson on 15 tries), with each also making a pair of shots from beyond the arc and two free throws, apiece.
Jackson pulled down seven rebounds. Zeradjanin shared team-high honors for assists, along with Quintyus Causey, at four. Causey was the Owls third player in double-figure scoring with 13 points.
Ddallen Bailey led The W with nine rebounds and also had nine points.
Shon Wright chipped in six boards, to go along his eight points and two assists.
The contest saw both clubs stay in close contact the entire game, with no lead larger than single digits at any point. There were 18 ties and six lead changes in the matchup.
The W will next be in action at the Sewanee Tournament this weekend, beginning with its Friday (Nov. 19/7 p.m.) game versus host Sewanee.
