Henderson, Nevada – The match-ups modified, however the groups remained the identical in what was one other nice day of hoops at Day Two of the Ball Dawgs Traditional. The outcomes, nevertheless, have been extra of the identical.
Sport One was between the Indiana State Sycamores and the Pepperdine Waves. The Sycamores have been solely up two factors on the first stoppage of play, but it surely was all Indiana State within the first half afterwards. Indiana State shot 17-for-28 (60.8%) from the ground whereas Pepperdine had almost as many turnovers (10) as made pictures (14). The Sycamores stole the ball 5 occasions en path to a hot-shooting first half.
Whereas Indiana State was the story of the primary half, there have been some sturdy particular person performances within the first half as nicely. Pepperdine guard Houston Mallette began an ideal 3-for-3 from the ground, together with one made three-pointer for seven early factors. He would end the half with 13 factors on 6-12 taking pictures (1-2 3PT). Fellow junior guard Isaiah Swope had the very same begin as Mallette for Indiana State and would end with 17 within the first half (7-11 taking pictures, 2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT).
Pepperdine turned the web page within the second half. After by no means main within the first half, the Waves scored 51 factors, however their comeback effort fell quick because the Sycamores would maintain on to win 90-82. Mallette led the cost for the Wave and would end with a sport excessive 31 factors (12-20 taking pictures, 5-6 from 3, 2-2 from the free-throw line) and 5 rebounds. Mallette would hit a few deep threes to maintain Pepperdine inside hanging distance. Hybrid guard/ahead Michael Ajayi recorded 25 factors of his personal, together with eight rebounds, 5 assists and two steals, leaving all of it out on the ground.
Indiana State obtained well timed buckets and clutch free throws from sophomore heart Robbie Avila (18 factors, 4-5 taking pictures, 1-2 from 3, 9-12 from the charity stripe) and Swope to shut out Pepperdine. The Sycamores completed the sport taking pictures 59.2% from the ground, 43.5% from distance and shot 15-for-19 on the line. Indiana State improved to 4-1, whereas Pepperdine dropped to 3-4.
Sport Two noticed the New Mexico Lobos tackle the Rice Owls. They are saying basketball is a sport of runs, however that’s just about what the primary half was. New Mexico jumped out to an early 12-4 lead and continued to outplay Rice, constructing a 21-10 lead. Rice would reply with an 12-5 run of their very own to chop the deficit to 5. The Lobos would then go on a 13-2 run to regain a double-digit lead earlier than the Owls flew previous them with a 15-6 run to shut the half. The Lobos responded with a 44-17 run within the second half to cruise previous the Owls 90-56.
The 2 groups’ first half stats have been pretty even – each had solely made three 3-pointers, Rice had three extra made free throws and New Mexico had the rebounding edge 19-15 (5 offensive to Rice’s 4). The distinction was the taking pictures from the ground – New Mexico made 52.8% (19-36) of their pictures, whereas Rice made simply 39.3% (11-28). 
New Mexico additionally obtained contributions from each starter within the first half of play, with freshman ahead JT Toppin main the best way with 11 factors on 5-7 taking pictures, 4 rebounds, one steal and three blocks. Guards Donovan Dent and Jamal Mashburn Jr. mixed for 17 factors, with Mashburn getting 4 of his 9 from the free-throw line and Dent additionally doling out seven assists.
Rice senior guard Travis Evee picked up the place he left off yesterday, dropping 11 factors within the first half on 4-7 taking pictures with one three-pointer and a pair of free throws. Sophomore guard Mekhi Mason chipped in with seven factors, however no different Owl had greater than 5 factors within the first half. Evee would end with 15, whereas Mason had 17. Rice is now 1-4.
Within the second half the Lobos took full management, shortly constructing one other double-digit lead and never letting go of it. Freshman guard Tru Washington had a robust sport off the bench, going 5-7 (1-2 for 3, 3-3 on the line) from the ground for 14 factors and 6 rebounds. 4 starters completed in double figures as New Mexico moved to 4-1.
Within the final sport of the night time the UC Irvine Anteaters defeated the Toledo Rockets 77-71. The primary half was intently contested till the final 2:55, when UC Irvine went on an 8-2 run to have a 39-32 halftime lead. Freshman guard Derin Saran was the Western Carolina Participant of the Yr final season and confirmed why within the first half, doing a bit of little bit of every thing – scoring 13 (4-5, 5-6 FT) to go together with two rebounds, one help and one steal.
Junior guards Ra’Heim Moss and Dante Maddox Jr. mixed for 18 factors within the first half, however no different Rocket had greater than 4 factors.
Final season Toledo’s protection was ranked 295th nationally and is the one roster in D1 this season comprised solely of juniors (5) and freshmen (six). The dearth of protection and inexperience each confirmed as Toledo had pricey turnovers and gave UC Irvine a number of uncontested pictures and late closeouts.
For UC Irvine, their halftime lead ballooned shortly, however the Rockets did go on an 11-2 run late within the second half to chop the result in three with 26.3 left and fell quick.
The Anteaters obtained double-digit contributions from redshirt junior ahead Devin Tillis (25), redshirt senior guard Justin Hohn (11) and Saran (15). UC Irvine improves to 5-1, whereas Toledo drops to 3-2.
The ultimate three video games of the Ball Dawgs Traditional might be performed on Friday, beginning with Toledo versus Indiana State. Rice versus UC Irvine will comply with, and Pepperdine versus New Mexico will shut out the event on the boys’s aspect.
This text was written by Mason McFee, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You may comply with us on Fb, or on twitter.
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