SBU MEN'S BASKETBALL - BEARCATS GET STUNG BY #10 HORNETS

BEARCATS GET STUNG BY #10 HORNETS

January 1, 2005

Junior Rommel Colina led all Bearcats in scoring with a caree- high tying 16 points including shooting 40 % from behind the arc.

EMPORIA, KS. … Looking to ring in 2005 with a bang and to extend their current season long winning streak, Southwest Baptist (7-4, 1-1 MIAA) could not overcome the hostile territory at the number ten ranked Emporia State Hornets (10-1, 2-0 MIAA) losing 75-64.

ESU started right out of the gates scoring the game’s first five points and maintained the lead all but two minutes and 5 seconds in the early part of the second half en route for their 25th consecutive win at home, the nation’s second longest streak.

After a layup by Deon Davis to tie the game at 10 each, Emporia St. went on a suffocating 10-0 run that kept the Bearcats scoreless for almost six minutes. ESU guard Deshawn Anderson scored four consecutive points in the stretch and led all scorers at the half with 15.

SBU turned the momentum with 2:40 remaining in the first half with an 8-0 run led by two three pointers by Sheldon Pace, who finished the night with eight points, five rebounds, and seven assists.

Southwest Baptist started the second half as they ended the first, on fire. The Bearcats scored the first five points in the half all from Rommel Colina. Colina led all Bearcat scorers tying his career high of 16 points, shooting 40 percent from behind the arc.

A three pointer from Deon Davis with 17:30 remaining in the game gave SBU a 36-35 lead, but that was the last time Emporia State would ever trail in the game.

Sharp shooting from ESU guards, Tyrell Sledge and Deshawn Anderson kept the Bearcats at bay the rest of the game. Sledge scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half and Anderson notched a new career high with 23 points.

SBU returns home for two games next week, first against Central Missouri State on Thursday, January 6 at 7:45. The Bearcats also host Pittsburg State, who is currently ranked #20 in the nation on Saturday, January 8 at 7:30 pm in the Meyer Sports Center. Southwest Baptist is currently 5-0 at home this season and has never lost at the Meyer Sports Center.

KEY STATS: #10 Emporia State out rebounded SBU 40-31, and out shot the Bearcats 48 percent from the floor to 38. Southwest Baptist’s bench only scored 16 points to ESU’s 37 and the Hornets beat the aggressive Bearcats on the fast break, out scoring SBU 21-10.

The Bearcats only attempted eight free throws all night to Emporia State’s 22 attempts. ESU converted 24 points off of 22 SBU turnovers and out scored Southwest Baptist in the paint 26-16. The Bearcats are now 2-4 on the road this season.