Riding a three-game winning streak the Golden Eagles were thoroughly tested on the road at Ohio University Lancaster on Saturday afternoon. Nonetheless, the navy and gold rode a big second half to a 97-78 win to raise their season record to 6-3.
The 0-5 Cougars gave KSU Tusc all they wanted, as the two teams sparred back and forth in the opening 20 minutes that ended in a 40-40 stalemate. Neither could gain much of a foothold and the Eagles were buoyed by five first half three-point bombs by Braden Rostad, who scored nearly one-half (15) of the Eagles total output, as they settled for a first half tie.
The final half of play followed a different script. By comparison Rostad's hand cooled just a tad---he only made two triples in the final 20 minutes of play---but the KSU Tusc offense was lifted by a 57-point outburst as three players scored in double figures before the final curtain.
London Cobbs scored all 13 of his points on the afternoon after the intermission, as did Kameron Shockley who tossed in 12 second half points. Throw in Kyle Shockley's 11 points after the break and Rostad's final six points, and the aforementioned players, scored 77% of the Golden Eagles points during the stretch run.
Also key were two triples from freshman, Ethan Bower, who ended with a season high eight points.
On the day, five Golden Eagles scored in double figures led by Rostad's 21 points, Kyle Shockley had 19, DeJuan Lawrence scored 14, Cobbs 13 and Kameron Shockley 12. The Eagles also made good on 12/18 free throws.
The Eagles are now idle for finals week, but they will take to the court on December 16-17 when they participate in the Penn State Beaver Christmas Tournament. On Friday, KSU Tusc squares off against Bryant & Stratton Cleveland at 5:00 p.m., followed by a game against the hosts on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Kyle Shockley scored 19 points---11 in the final half---and was a perfect 5/5 from the free throw line.
Ethan Bower sank two triples at OUL on Saturday and ended with 8 points.
Braden Rostad made seven triples against the Cougars and led KSU Tusc scorers with 21 points.
(Photos by Patty Tolloti)