2008 Woodie Awards
Men's basketball goes 2-1 at ESPN-televised Anaheim Classic
Mychal Thomas
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Sports
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The Men's basketball team traveled to Anaheim, California to play in the inaugural Anaheim Classic, hosted by ESPN during Thanksgiving break.
The Mocs faced the Southern Illinois Salukis Thanksgiving Day, but came up short, losing 63-41. Junior Stephen McDowell, Indianapolis, Ind., was the only player who scored in double figures with 13 for the Mocs.
Southern Illinois opened the second half on a 22-9 run that included consecutive 3-pointers by Salukis senior Matt Shaw, who finished with nine points. The leading scorer for Southern Illinois was senior Randal Falker, finishing with 21.
However, Mocs Head Coach John Shulman said, "We're not going to hang our heads."
The next day the Mocs played against the Anteaters of UC Irvine. McDowell scored 18 of his career-high 26 points in the second half to spring the Mocs to an 85-80 win. Senior Kevin Bridgewaters, Columbia, Ky., added 17 points and junior Nicchaeus Doaks, Trenton, Tenn., tallied 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
UC Irvine senior Patrick Sanders shot a season-high 56 percent from the floor for 23 points and freshman Trey Harris added a career-best 16 points. Irvine led 71-59, but lost their grip on the game after McDowell scored 12 points during an 18-2 run, propelling the Mocs for the five point win.
The team shot 60 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range as the Mocs advanced to the fourth-place game that took place Sunday.
Sunday, the team played the South Alabama Jaguars. Doaks was the leading scorer for the Mocs with 19 points and added six rebounds. However, it was not enough to stop South Alabama sophomore Dominic Tilford who scored 18 of his career-high 26 points in the second half to defeat the Mocs 84-67 and finish in fourth place.
Although the Mocs basketball team was excited to participate in the 8-team tournament, their sights are now focused on their upcoming games.
The team has its next three games at home as they face East Tennessee State and will begin SoCon play against The Citadel.
The Mocs will meet No. 12 Tennessee at the McKenzie Arena Dec. 4.
The Mocs faced the Southern Illinois Salukis Thanksgiving Day, but came up short, losing 63-41. Junior Stephen McDowell, Indianapolis, Ind., was the only player who scored in double figures with 13 for the Mocs.
Southern Illinois opened the second half on a 22-9 run that included consecutive 3-pointers by Salukis senior Matt Shaw, who finished with nine points. The leading scorer for Southern Illinois was senior Randal Falker, finishing with 21.
However, Mocs Head Coach John Shulman said, "We're not going to hang our heads."
The next day the Mocs played against the Anteaters of UC Irvine. McDowell scored 18 of his career-high 26 points in the second half to spring the Mocs to an 85-80 win. Senior Kevin Bridgewaters, Columbia, Ky., added 17 points and junior Nicchaeus Doaks, Trenton, Tenn., tallied 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
UC Irvine senior Patrick Sanders shot a season-high 56 percent from the floor for 23 points and freshman Trey Harris added a career-best 16 points. Irvine led 71-59, but lost their grip on the game after McDowell scored 12 points during an 18-2 run, propelling the Mocs for the five point win.
The team shot 60 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range as the Mocs advanced to the fourth-place game that took place Sunday.
Sunday, the team played the South Alabama Jaguars. Doaks was the leading scorer for the Mocs with 19 points and added six rebounds. However, it was not enough to stop South Alabama sophomore Dominic Tilford who scored 18 of his career-high 26 points in the second half to defeat the Mocs 84-67 and finish in fourth place.
Although the Mocs basketball team was excited to participate in the 8-team tournament, their sights are now focused on their upcoming games.
The team has its next three games at home as they face East Tennessee State and will begin SoCon play against The Citadel.
The Mocs will meet No. 12 Tennessee at the McKenzie Arena Dec. 4.
