Even with their quick guards, the Graceland University Yellow Jackets proved no contest for the Baker University men’s basketball team as it picked up its second conference win of the season.
After a slow start from the tip-off, the ‘Cats beat the Yellow Jackets 81-66 while shooting 47 percent from the field.
Sophomore Dain Dillingham said much of their success could be attributed to the second string of five players who built up their intensity.
“We came out a little flat, but the second team came in and got us back up,” Dillingham said. “When the first team came back in, we figured a few things out and were able to shut them down a little more.”
Senior Nate Pedrow led the team with 16 points, while both Dillingham and senior Greg Allen added 13. Senior Evan Wright contributed four assists to the victory.
Head coach Rick Weaver said a deep bench played a part in the win.
“Our depth was a factor, and we were able to go to the bench when some of our guys picked up fouls,” Weaver said.
The ‘Cats hosted Central Methodist University Saturday and pulled out a 86-71 victory.
Senior Evan Wright said the ‘Cats’ tough-pressure defense and a full-court press caused the 21 turnovers by the Eagles.
“We came out hard and were ready from the beginning of the game,” Wright said. “We pushed the tempo, and we were able to get them a little tired and that’s when we were able to force some of their turnovers.”
Five ‘Cats were in double figures, and Pedrow led all scorers with 22 points and five rebounds. Senior D.J. Watkins and junior Andy Hannon scored 17 and 13 points, respectively. Dillingham said Watkins had a scoring run that helped lift the team.
“We came out the second half ready for them to make a run because we knew they were a good team and they’d respond from being down that much at half,” Dillingham said. “We were able to answer some of their baskets, and D.J. came out and hit a few shots to keep us up the second half. They were always trying to get a run going, but we were able to just play our game the whole second half.”
The ‘Cats will welcome defending Heart of America Athletic Conference champion Lindenwood University at 4 p.m. Saturday in Collins Center. The ‘Cats defeated the Lions last season in double overtime in St. Charles, Mo., which was Lindenwood’s only loss at home for the 2005-2006 season.
Wright said the ‘Cats will need to focus on defense to contain a few key players.
“We’re going to have to stop them on defense,” Wright said. “The last couple of years they’ve had a lot of scorers. We want to play up tempo and score a lot too, but we really need to play good defense.”
The ‘Cats are 8-3 overall and 2-2 in the HAAC.