Crestview Hills, Ky. - Shawnee State Men's basketball dropped to 10-8 Saturday afternoon, falling 77-60 to NCAA DIII opponent Thomas More. The loss is the first non-conference road defeat for the Bears since December 31.
The loss comes despite the Bears (10-8, 2-2 MSC) shooting 45% from the field and 43% from three, topping their season average in both categories. Thomas More (13-7) connected on 27 of 60 shots to finish at 45% as well, finishing just below 43% from beyond the arc. The rebounding battle was tight, with Thomas More taking a one rebound advantage of 32 to SSU's 31.
Two Bears finished in double figures as Gio Jackson (JR/Federal Way, Washington) led the Bears with 16 points and seven rebounds. Tamal Watkins (JR/Columbus, Ohio) put up 13 points on 5-10 shooting from the field.
The Bears jumped out to a 4-0 lead within the first two minutes after back-to-back layups and a Justin Johnson (JR/Cincinnati, Ohio) block. Thomas More would go on to tie it at four at the 17:44 mark. Both teams remained scoreless for two minutes until the Saints would finally hit a three to go up 7-4 with 15 minutes to go in the half. Thomas More would stretch their lead to five going on a 7-0 run until a Selby Hind-Wills (JR/Crawley, England) bucket ended the drought for the Bears with 13:45 remaining.
Shawnee State bounced back with a series of defensive stops until a Gavin Brown (SO/Carroll, Ohio) three pointer made it 9-9 with 11:50 on the clock. After a series of back and forth possessions, the Saints picked up momentum and led 21-13 with under five minutes to play. The Bears battled back to within two after a Juwan Grant (SR/Baltimore, Maryland) three with :01 left made it 29-27 going into halftime.
SSU shot an even 50% across the board in the first 20 minutes, including going 4-8 from three. Gio Jackson racked up 10 points to lead the Bears in the first period.
Thomas More steadily increased their lead in the second half, going out to a 13 point lead (45-32) with 16:02 left to play. The Bears would go on a 11-2 towards the end of the period yet still trailed 70-57 with 3:51 to go. Shawnee State would add a bucket and a free throw but would fall to the Saints by a final score of 77-60.
Four of Thomas More's starting five would finish in double figures, led by 18 from Ryne Callahan. Both Ralph Stone and Damion King contributed 17.
Shawnee State Men's Basketball returns to conference action to take on Georgetown on Thursday, January 24th. The tip from Davis-Reid Alumni Gym is set for 8:00 PM.
