DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) men's basketball team earned its first victory of the 2019-20 season with a 100-86 victory over the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (PRM) Tarzans at the ICI Center on Saturday evening.
The Tarzans (0-3) briefly held a 5-4 lead two minutes into the contest, but by halftime SHC had built out a 57-35 bulge and led by as much as 26 points in the second half.
SHC senior guard
Pat McNamara of Arlington Heights, Ill. scored 25 points to pace the Badgers while senior forward
Chase Shellman of Louisville, Ky. and senior guard
Gresyn Rogers of Casa Grande, Ariz. Each added 20 to Spring Hill cause. Sophomore forward
Brent Smith hauled in 8 rebounds and senior guard
Dwight Harris of Americus, Ga. handed out 6 assists.
SHC shot 53.5% (38-71) from the field and a scalding 54.2% (13-24) from 3-point range. The Badgers hurt themselves with 17 turnovers against 7 steals by the Tarzans, but took the edge in rebounding 39-32 and connecting on 78.6% (11-14) of their free throw attempts.
Ricardo De Jesus had 25 points as the Tarzans shot 47.8% (32-67) from the floor and 29.6% (8-27) from 3-point distance while losing 17 turnovers to 10 steals by the Badgers. PRM put home 73.7% (14-19) of their free throw opportunities.
The Badgers (1-3) next face the University of South Alabama (USA) Jaguars (2-2) on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the USA Mitchell Center in what will be an exhibition contest for Spring Hill.
