KNOXVILLE, Tenn- Men's Basketball opened up postseason play Friday afternoon against the 6th seeded Boyce College. The #2 seeded Crusaders came out focused and played as good of a half of basketball as they had all the season. The Crusaders jumped out to a 16-2 lead on the Bulldogs including five three in their first seven shots. The Crusaders never looked back. GLCC went up as big as 32 in the first half. The pressure defense stifled the Bulldogs for much of the first half. The Bulldogs struggled to find rhythm all half. Isiah Reed played like the first team all region player he was leading the Crusaders with 13 first half points to go along with four rebounds and six assists. GLCC only downfall in the first half was the foul trouble that plagued them. The Crusaders were up 53-23 after the first frame.
In the second half the Crusaders came out a little sluggish as Boyce scored the first six points of the half. The Crusaders then found their feet again and started nailing more threes. The blue and white drilled 10 threes in the second half to pace their offensive attack. Quincy Green and Jahmal Eggleston did most of the boarding for the Crusaders as Green finished with a double double 12 points and 11 rebounds while Eggleston added 23 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. Every Crusaders found the scoring column in the game. GLCC went on to to win 103-71. The win puts the Crusaders in the Mideast Region Championship game Saturday at 3:00 PM.
Inside the Box Score:
- Crusaders shot a semester high 18/41 from three.
- GLCC bench scored 37 points compared to the Bulldogs 28 points
- GLCC shot 48.6 percent from the floor compared to the Boyce 39.4%
- Crusaders had 27 assists on 36 field goals
- Isiah Reed finished with another double double with 24 points 10 assists and 6 rebounds
What Coach Says:
"Our guys came out focused and ready to play. I was really proud of our execution and the purpose in which we played. We defended as well as I have seen us defend in the first half. I thought our defense fed into our offensive attack. We really played with great energy on both ends of the floor." On team shooting performance, "We were due for a night like this, we have been really getting up a lot of shots lately and our team is as good as any team in the country at shooting the three. Tonight was a prime example." On playing for a Region Championship, "This is something we wanted to accomplish this year. I am excited for our guys to have that opportunity. If I know my team we will be ready to compete."
What's Next:
The Crusaders will take on the winner of Grace or Johnson Saturday at 3:00 PM. The winner receives and automatic bid to the NCCAA National Tournament in Greenville, SC.