"What a difference a day makes!" Maria Grever
"Sometimes you get what's coming around, and sometimes you are what's coming around." Jim Butcher
Insert your own worn-out cliche' and you'd probably be describing Kent State Tusc's huge 66-53 bounce back win over NAIA Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, on Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday the Eagles fell behind early and didn't score a basket until nearly six minutes had elapsed in the opening 20 minutes. On Sunday, the navy and gold were the aggressors and sprinted to an 8-0 lead over the Pioneers in the first three and one-half minutes of the game. They held the hosts to just a single free throw until the 13:50 mark when PPU finally managed their first basket, after the Eagles had taken a 12-1 lead.
It helped that the Golden Eagles had plenty of motivation to prove themselves after a disappointing showing at CCBC and it also helped that Kameron Shockley spent one season as a Pioneer before transferring to KSU Tusc with some extra incentive to be on top of his game.
Shockley transcended his former self with a double-double on this day, scoring 17 points and hauling down 13 big rebounds. He also converted on 6/12 field goals and during one stretch of the second half, scored eight of 12 Golden Eagles points as they built a 41-34 lead after trailing 31-29.
Still, the Eagles had to show some moxie to win this game. Late in the first half, the Pioneers rallied to tie the game 20-20. They forged ahead 26-22, but KSU Tusc got a huge three-ball from Shockley at the 2:04 mark and a stick back by James Roundtree with :18 left to knot the game at 28-28 heading to the intermission.
Just as they had started the game, the Eagles dominated the action early in the final half going on a 12-3 run to take a seven-point lead. During that run Shockley made a layup, two jumpers and a dunk off an outlet pass near halfcourt from DeJuan Lawrence. His dunk followed a two-handed jam by younger brother Kyle on a JaJuantae Young steal, which forced PPU to call a timeout suffering a four minute offensive dry spell.
Over the next two minutes the Golden Eagles limited the Pioneers to just one basket, while Braden Rostad rained home two three-point bombs and a short jumper as the good guys sped to a 10-point, 49-39 lead.
After Point Park got to within 49-43, the Eagles upped the advantage to 54-43 before the Pioneers could get off the mat. KSU Tusc held the hosts at bay down the stretch by converting on 10/12 free throws to seal the game.
The win boosted the Golden Eagles record to 3-3 on the season and broke a three-game losing streak. It was just Point Park's second loss on the year as they fell to 6-2.
Besides Kameron Shockley's team leading 17 points, London Cobbs had 15 and Kyle Shockley scored 10. As a team the Eagles shot 46% from the field, made 15/20 free throws and 3/9 three-balls.
On Friday, December 2nd, the Eagles host USCAA DI Bryant & Stratton Buffalo in a 7:00 p.m. tip off in Founders Hall Gym.
Kameron Shockley had 17 points and 13 rebounds against the Pioneers.
DeJuan Lawrence plays above the rim where he blocked four shots at PPU.
(Photos by Lindsey Nicholson)