Mon-Dak’s top team NDSCS knocks off LRSC Royal men at home
It wasn't hard to see why the North Dakota State College of Science is having a successful season Sunday afternoon at the Devils Lake Sports Center.
Article by Harry Lipsiea, Devils Lake Journal Sports, February 12th, 2017.
It wasn't hard to see why the North Dakota State College of Science is having a successful season Sunday afternoon at the Devils Lake Sports Center. The Wildcats, who sit atop the Mon-Dak Conference Standings, are ranked No. 12 in the nation with an overall record of 25-1.
"That is a very talented team. They are just so good," LRSC head coach Jared Marshall stated. "NDSCS can beat you in so many different ways. Give them credit, they came out and earned it tonight."
The Wildcats used a 50-28 advantage after the first half to pick up an 84-54 conference victory.
NDSCS jumped out to an early 12-2 advantage. The Wildcats continued to control the action throughout the first half behind standout offensive performances by James Batemon III and Gach Gach.
The Royals tried to battle back as buckets by Cedric Boon and Nic Fassos attempted to keep them within striking distance.
But, the Wildcat's ability to score in a number of ways and make stops was too much.
With a 22-point lead at halftime, NDSCS started strong again in the second half. Give credit to LRSC, a nice scoring run early on gave the team a nice boost. James Streeter, Ben Rennie, Harvey Barr and Boone each added buckets inside to get the Royals as close as 16.
But NDSCS never gave up control. Batemon III nailed three straight jumpers and Elliot Kane hit a three. In the end the Wildcats earned the 84-54 conference victory.
"It just came down to us not stringing enough winning plays together," Marshall said. "That starts with making stops and we just couldn't get enough of them in a row. The run or two we did make was when we came up big defensively."
Boone led the Royals with 13 points. Rennie, Fassos and Barr each chipped in with eight points. Streeter and Bolton scored six points while Jayson Edwards had three. Drew Thielges rounded out the scoring with two points.
The Royals play United Tribes next Sunday at home.
"Our biggest concentration is to play our best basketball as we hit the home stretch," Marshall added.