The USCAA DII, No. 6 Golden Eagles set the tone early against overmatched Penn Highlands CC on Wednesday night riding a quick start to a 103-67 win. The victory upped KSU Tusc's record to 18-8 on the year and sent the Black Bears to a seventh straight loss.
The navy and gold scored off the opening tip, as Kyle Shockley broke free for a lay-up while the Eagles took off on a steep ascent. Kameron Shockley did the most of the heavy lifting during the near vertical takeoff with buckets off a drive to the hoop, a triple, a dunk on a runout after an errant Bears shot and another score on a sweet behind the back pass from Kyle at the 16:24 mark for a 13-0 lead.
With 15:31 showing on the clock the Bears rained in a three-ball for their first points of the game but trailed 13-3.
Call them savvy, or maybe opportunistic, but aside from four successful tries from behind the arc the Eagles defense afforded them multiple chances for easy baskets. They scored 34 points in the paint during the first half highlight by a pair of Vinny Roper steals for lay ins and a beautiful post to post pass from Darion Lee to Roper for another hoop.
Despite the Eagles success, the Bears frustrated KSU Tusc defenders at times converting on eight triples in the first stanza. At one point the Eagles built a 31-14 advantage only tainted by the fact that the Bears manufactured 12 of their total with wide open looks from behind the arc. In all, PHCC scored 24 of their 32-point output from long distance, three of them after trailing 52-23 with just over two minutes until the break.
Just six minutes into the final half, the Eagles went on a 18-6 tear to open up a 43-point lead---their biggest of the game (81-38). Mekhi Johnson's short jumper with 14:02 left to play was the impetus to the huge disparity.
Twelve Golden Eagles put their names in the scorebook led by Kameron Shockley's 26-point outburst. He made eight first half field goals for 18 points. Kyle Shockley opened the game with 11 points and added 14 in the final half to finish with 25 points. Johnson and Reche' Dixon added 12 points apiece.
Next up for the Golden Eagles is a rematch with USCAA D1, No. 2 Bryant & Stratton Buffalo on Sunday, February 18th at 5:00pm.
Kyle Shockley made an off balance bucket and finished with 25 points, while Reche' Dixon dropped in a pair of triples and scored 12 against PHCC.
Mekhi Johnson makes a move to the basket and scored 12 points on the Black Bears defenders.
(Photos by Lindsey Nicholson)