Royals Rally Past Rhema
Posted: November 15, 2009 at 6:17 a.m.
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Ecclesia overcame early foul trouble and a 10-point deficit in the first half to claim a 60-48 win Friday over Rhema Bible College during the Rhema Classic.
Rhema took advantage of a shorthanded Ecclesia lineup, whose starting backcourt of Elroy Youngblood and Robert Valentine were limited because of early foul trouble.
“We struggled in the first half with (Robert) Valentine and (Elroy) Youngblood both on the bench,” Ecclesia coach JD Parker said. “I thought we did a great job of making adjustments and limiting (Rhema’s) shots in the second half. It really made the difference for us.”
Rhema capitalized by building a 32-22 halftime advantage. Mike McGhee, who scored 12 points, and the team’s leading scorer Robert Sanders — who added 10 — set the tempo for a productive first half for Rhema.
However the Royals would regroup to shut down Sanders and company in the second half.
Youngblood (11) would help spark an Ecclesia half rally as the Royals held Rhema to just 6-of-26 shooting. Ecclesia (5-1) received large contributions from Junior Travis Smith, who came off the bench to score 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Ecclesia played again Saturday, closing out the Rhema Classic with a game against Robert Morris University.
WOMEN
Rogers State 87, Ecclesia 46
CLAREMORE, Okla. — Ecclesia fell in an early hole and never recovered as the Lady Royals suffered their worst loss of the season Friday at Rogers State College, during first-round action of the Rogers State Classic.
RSC built a 44-22 lead in the first half and never looked back. Twelve players contributed offensively, five of whom reached double figures. Jenny Hardin led Rogers State with 15 points.
Ecclesia (1-5) has dropped four straight since knocking off the University of Art and Science of Oklahoma during the second game of the season, a testament to the Lady Royals’ grueling schedule.
Rogers State is the fourth team Ecclesia has played this season that resides in the Sooner Athletic Conference, one of the most well respected NAIA conferences in the country.
The Lady Royals were led by Lucinda Sylvain and Ashton Abshier, both of whom scored 11 off the bench.
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