The men’s basketball team secured their first win of the season after last Friday’s Belmont loss in a 73-55 victory over the Maryville Saints, making their overall record 1-1.
The Bisons gained early momentum, going on an 8-2 run with 17:03 remaining. The Saints kept things close for a good deal of the half, but the Bisons went into the locker room with a 43-24 lead. Freshman J.C. Hampton sank three 3-point baskets in first half, adding into his 13 point total.
From 15:35-7:19 in the second half, the Bisons went on a 14-0 run, ended by a jump shot from Maryville’s Adam Whitlock.
Hampton said he felt that the team’s early efforts and rebounding helped tremendously.
“We came out to a great start,” Hampton said. “Coach [Sanderson] really challenged us on the board to see if we could out-rebound by +15. I think we did a great job, especially Khion [Sankey], of accepting that challenge. I felt good coming out with a great start.”
Sankey, a junior, led the Bisons in rebounds with 12, while senior Deonte Alexander led in scoring with 16. On top of leading the team in assists with 4, sophomore Martin Smith scored 13 points.
After tonight’s win, the team will travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to play Gardner-Webb on Wednesday. After their Nov. 23 away game against Ole Miss, the Bisons will return to Allen Arena on Nov. 26 to take on Murray State.