American @ Chicago St.: This was a sloppily played game. Chicago State turned the ball over 20 times, but did better than American which had 26 turnovers. The Cougars scored first and often, never trailing. By the half they were ahead 43-33 and expanded their lead to as much as 25 points in the 2nd half before finishing with an easy 88-70 shoot down of the Eagles. Chicago State singed the net, hitting 55% of their shots. As usual, PF Robert Allocco topped their scoring with 23 points and rebounding with 9. He also had a steal and 3 blocks. Not far behind in scoring was PG Ryan Roberts with 20 points. Roberts also dished out 7 assists. SF Devin Archie also finished in double figures with 14 points. (9-7, 3-2)
Cal-Davis @ Sacramento St.: Cal-Davis had an anemic offense in the first half and trailed 36-24 at the break. They picked things up in the 2nd half and made a ball game of it before falling 67-60. Had they been able to make more than the 12 of 25 they connected with at the foul line, the result could have been in their favor. PF Tyrone Dickerman as their top scorer with 12 points. Sacramento State’s C Anthony Davis topped all scorers with 21 points while SF Jamal Sawyer had a double double (12 points and 10 rebounds). (6-10, 2-3)
Harvard @ Texas St.: The Bobcats came out flat and fell behind by 17 points in the first half and then trailed 33-20 at the intermission. Texas State kicked their offense into gear in the 2nd half, but the gap was too great and they dropped a home game by the score of 74-66. Reserve PF Darryl Brown scored 18 points in just 8 minutes of play for the Bobcats while 3 starts scored in double figures (C Matt Wright, 13 points; PG Garrick Allen, 11 points; and SG Mike Brown, 10 points). After the game Coach Vernell Strom said, “We have to get tougher, particularly when playing at home. We can’t play like zombies for 20 minutes and expect to win.” (5-11, 1-4)
Wofford @ Sacred Heart: Sacred Heart came into this game with a 10-5 record and a 6-1 home record. They showed why in the 1st half, dominating Wofford and finishing the half with a solid 35-25 lead. Coach Kyle Anders must have burned some butts at the half, because the Terriers came out with not only a revised game plan but a renewed energy that quickly erased the Pioneers lead, but propelled Wofford to a resounding 75-64 win on the road. The Terriors were like bulldogs on the boards and sported a 38-29 rebounding advantage. Leading Wofford offensively was SG Victor Griffin with 22 points. C Brandon Linton scored 17 and PG Antuan Lackey picked up 11 points and 7 assists. PF Kevin Taylor pulled down 10 boards for the Terriers. (9-7, 3-2)
North Dakota @ Jacksonville: Jacksonville struggled early and the lead flip-flopped 5 times, but the Dolphins then gained control and took a 37-28 lead to the locker room. Jacksonville maintained their lead throughout the 2nd half and won 62-54 behind the leadership of PF Maurice Braun and his 19 points and 12 rebounds. PG Reggie Scholl contributed 14 points for the Dolphins. (5-11 , 3-2)
Chicago St. @ Nicholls St.: Chicago State came out zeroed in on the basket and ran off to a 46-33 halftime advantage. The Cougars held onto a comfortable lead throughout the 2nd half and won convincingly 84-74. Chicago State hit 52% of their shots and out-rebounded the Colonels 37-24. PF Robert Allocco scored 31 points and hauled down 9 rebounds for the Cougars. (10-7, 4-2)
Texas St. @ Northwestern St.: The Bobcats and Demons played a back-and-forth game for the first 10 minutes, but then Northwestern State gained control and sported a 41-30 halftime lead. Texas State was unable to seriously threaten the Demons in the 2nd half and dropped the game by a score of 71-62 as they let Northwestern State hit 51% of their shots. The loss was the 4th straight by the Bobcats and gained Texas State sole possession of last place in Conference T. SF Russell Brown was the top scorer for the Bobcats with 13 points. C Elton Scruggs score 21 points and had 10 rebounds for the Demons. (5-12, 1-5)
Cal St. Northridge @ Cal-Davis: Cal-Davis took control early and by the end of the first half the Aggies led 39-29. Their lead ballooned to 31 points in the 2nd half. Playing reserves extensively they settled for an 83-58 lopsided victory, knocking down 54% of their shots. Reserve Abraham Jackson scored 22 points in his 22 minutes of play for Cal-Davis and PG Roby Phillips added 11. Cal State Northridge’s PG Kevin White scored 22 points. (7-10, 3-3)
North Carolina Central @ Wofford: Wofford was on fire in the first half as they put the Eagles into a 50-27 halftime hole. The Terriers played their bench extensively in the 2nd half but still won with ease, 75-61. C Brandon Linton scored 16 and had 8 rebounds while PG Antuan Lackey added 13 points. (10-7, 4-2)
Jacksonville @ Northern Colorado: The game swayed back and forth early but by the end of the first half, Jacksonville had opened a 40-33 lead. Throughout the 2nd half they maintained a comfortable lead and gained a road win by the tune of 77-68. The Dolphins had just 8 turnovers while the Bears turned the ball over 17 times. Jacksonville is now riding a 4-game win streak. PG Reggie Scholl scored 21 and C Ross Walker added 15 points for Jacksonville. Northern Colorado’s C Dennis Adams hit for 16 points while SG Kenroy Celuck scored 10 and had 10 rebounds and 5 assists. (6-11, 4-2)
Award: PF Robert Allocco of Chicago State again won the Conference T Player of the Week award based upon his scoring 54 points and pulling down 18 rebounds in the Cougars’s two wins this week. Allocco is now averaging 24.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg.