Patriots move to 3-0; No. 2 nationally in scoring
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The season has been one of winning thus far for the Southern State Patriots men's basketball program. The team has been thriving under new head coach Travis McAvene as they defeated Ohio University-Chillicothe, 113-69 Wednesday.
This win not only moved the Patriots to 3-0 early in the season, but they are currently the No. 2 USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I team in scoring with an average of 101 points per game.
Through three games this year, SSCC has outscored their opponents 302-199.
Tyron Harris, a 6-2 point guard, is No. 1 in the nation in assists with 7.5 assists per game, while teammate Isiah Walton (6-3 forward) is No. 4 in the nation with 10 rebounds per game. Kamorin Harris (a 6-4 forward) is No. 7 in the nation in scoring with 17.7 ppg.
"We are starting to play the system I want to see, which is Nolan Richardson's old 40 minutes of pressure," McAvene said. "Our players enjoy playing in an up-tempo system offensively but also love to play defense.
"We still have a lot to improve on as a team and are not satisfied with our good start to the season."
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Against OU-C, the Patriots led 56-33 after 20 minutes, then outscored their opponent 57-36 in the second period. Overall, SSCC shot 40-of-88 from the field for 45-percent.
HHS graduate Tyrand Cumberland and Walton led the Patriots in scoring with 19 points each. Diondrey Holt followed with 15, and Brandon Whitlock and Jalen Gordon each scored 11. Dresan Mathis gave SSCC six players in double figures with a 10-point effort.
Walton totaled a double-double as he added 11 rebounds (seven offensive) to his 19-point effort.
Holt was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line as the Patriots finished the night 25-of-25 from the charity stripe (71 percent). Cumberland and Gordon each made three 3-pointers. Holt and Tyron Harris each sank two 3-point baskets.
J.R. Blair and Whitlock passed the ball with efficiency with a team-high five assists apiece, while Walton, Cumberland and Tyron Harris each totaled four. SSCC totaled 30 assists for the game and 12 blocked shots with Mathis leading the way with four. Holt led SSCC with five steals.
Also scoring for SSCC were Keontez Malone with six points and Kamorin Harris with nine.
SSCC will take their undefeated record on the road this Saturday as they face Miami University-Hamilton at 3 p.m.
This win not only moved the Patriots to 3-0 early in the season, but they are currently the No. 2 USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I team in scoring with an average of 101 points per game.
Through three games this year, SSCC has outscored their opponents 302-199.
Tyron Harris, a 6-2 point guard, is No. 1 in the nation in assists with 7.5 assists per game, while teammate Isiah Walton (6-3 forward) is No. 4 in the nation with 10 rebounds per game. Kamorin Harris (a 6-4 forward) is No. 7 in the nation in scoring with 17.7 ppg.
"We are starting to play the system I want to see, which is Nolan Richardson's old 40 minutes of pressure," McAvene said. "Our players enjoy playing in an up-tempo system offensively but also love to play defense.
"We still have a lot to improve on as a team and are not satisfied with our good start to the season."
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Against OU-C, the Patriots led 56-33 after 20 minutes, then outscored their opponent 57-36 in the second period. Overall, SSCC shot 40-of-88 from the field for 45-percent.
HHS graduate Tyrand Cumberland and Walton led the Patriots in scoring with 19 points each. Diondrey Holt followed with 15, and Brandon Whitlock and Jalen Gordon each scored 11. Dresan Mathis gave SSCC six players in double figures with a 10-point effort.
Walton totaled a double-double as he added 11 rebounds (seven offensive) to his 19-point effort.
Holt was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line as the Patriots finished the night 25-of-25 from the charity stripe (71 percent). Cumberland and Gordon each made three 3-pointers. Holt and Tyron Harris each sank two 3-point baskets.
J.R. Blair and Whitlock passed the ball with efficiency with a team-high five assists apiece, while Walton, Cumberland and Tyron Harris each totaled four. SSCC totaled 30 assists for the game and 12 blocked shots with Mathis leading the way with four. Holt led SSCC with five steals.
Also scoring for SSCC were Keontez Malone with six points and Kamorin Harris with nine.
SSCC will take their undefeated record on the road this Saturday as they face Miami University-Hamilton at 3 p.m.