By: Justin Wollard, Media Relations Director
Box score | Season stats
DALLAS, Texas -- The third-ranked SBU Bearcats picked up their fifth win of the season, as they jumped out to a big first half lead, and rolled to a 102-84 victory at Dallas Baptist. Newcomer Thijin Moses led the Bearcats (5-1) with an SBU season high 32 points, one of four Bearcats in double figures. Matt Rogers had 23 points, six boards and five blocks for SBU while Tomas Brock had a career high 10 assists to go along with 13 points. Kurt Koenig had 15 points and five boards on his 21st birthday.
A three from Ryan Dougherty gave the Bearcats a 39-19 edge with six minutes left in the first half. The Bearcats shot a blistering 71.4% from the field in the first half and led 59-33 at the break. The Bearcats would hold off the Patriots in the second half as DBU could only get within 15 points.
Head coach Jeff Guiot said that his team's defense was the key to victory. "When we get after it defensively and really try to guard, it all falls in line. Thijin (Moses) shot the ball well because he played good defense and his energy was up and was into the game. He's a good shooter and our guys did a good job getting him the ball. We held them to 40% shooting and 33 points in the first half, and that set the tone. We did a good job of taking the crowd out of the game in the first half."
"As a coaching staff, we're still trying to figure out what these guys do well and then put in them in that situation," added Guiot. "We've got these guys (Dallas Baptist) a week from tonight and I'm sure they'll want to return the favor. We'll need to stay humble and be ready. We had some lapses and let them get back in it in the second half, but we're getting better at staying focused."
SBU returns home for their Thanksgiving Classic this Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28. Friday night, the Bearcats will host Henderson State at 8 p.m. Then it's a rematch with the Dallas Baptist Patriots at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Emporia State plays at 2 p.m. each day as well, Friday against DBU and Saturday against Henderson State.
