11/09/07After shaking out the first-game jitters, Baker University men's basketball team started its season strong, blowing out its first two opponents of the season. Season at a glance.<a href="/menbasketball">Season at a glance.</a> Season at a glance.
The Wildcats smashed the University of St. Mary Tuesday in Collins Gym with an 82-55 score. (Story continued below)
Watch KNBU-TV's coverage of Baker men's basketball, part of Wildcat Chat.<a href="http://youtube.com/user/KNBU" target="_blank">Wildcat Chat.</a> Wildcat Chat.
“Other than the opening minutes of the second half, the team played fairly well,” head coach Rick Weaver said.
With four ‘Cats in double figures, junior Heath Baird led the team with 19 points. Junior Ryan Highfill added 14 to the scoreboard, while seniors Andy Hannon and Matt Mills each scored 10.
“We played pretty well, and we shot really well,” Hannon said. “Heath was seven for seven from the field, and our shooting percentage was really high. Our defense was pretty good throughout the whole game.”
The ‘Cats finished with a 57 percent field goal percentage, and shot 53 percent from behind the arc.
With all the new additions to the team, senior Taylor Parker said the new players are adjusting well to the ‘Cats’ system of play.
“The new guys that we have fit right in,” he said. “They’re very good in our offense, and there’s no drop off anywhere in the 10 guys that we play.”
The ‘Cats showed off their depth on the bench Saturday during their matchup against Bethany College in Collins Gym. The team opened its season with a victory, the final score being 75-60.
Parker said the team was nervous but quickly calmed down and took care of business.
“In the first half we came out a little tentative and a little unsure of ourselves, but that’s just part of a first game,” he said. “After halftime, we were a little more solid as far as our team play and communication. We came out with a victory, and that was the most important thing.”
Hannon showed some confidence, scoring 17 points in the opener. Junior Dain Dillingham put up 13 points, while senior Aaron Toren and Baird added 14 and 10, respectively.
Dillingham led the team in rebounds with six.
“We had a few shaky moments, but overall the guys played fairly well,” Weaver said. “Aaron Toren had a solid game inside and Dain Dillingham and Andy Hannon did a good job getting some baskets in transitions. Our team depth was a factor as I thought Bethany wore down a bit as the game progressed.”
Parker said the team has so much depth that its able to play two groups of five, allowing fresh legs to press teams constantly.
“We play 10 guys a lot,” he said. “We basically have two separate groups that come in and relieve each other, and that helps out. We shouldn’t ever get into too much foul trouble this year playing that many guys, and we can keep the intensity and speed of the game up by playing that many players.”
The ‘Cats will host the Baker Classic this weekend. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m. today in Collins Gym against Sterling College. The ‘Cats continue the tournament at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Ottawa University.
