Miller’s 20 Not Enough As Men’s Basketball Drops Season-Opener at Wilberforce, 112-82

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WILBERFORCE, Ohio — The 2015-16 season opener did not go as planned as third-year head coach and the Marygrove men’s basketball squad fell on the road at Wilberforce, 112-82, on Saturday (Nov. 7) in Wilberforce, Ohio. Kenneth Miller (Flint, Mich./Grand Blanc High School) paced a balanced Mustangs offense with 20 points, but the host Bulldogs proved to be too much on the other end, tallying 112 points to send the Green and Gold to a season-opening defeat.

The Bulldogs pulled even at 2-2 on the season with the win.

The Mustangs faced a three possession deficit for the opening 10 minutes before sophomore guard Ta’Kein Dixson (Atlanta, Ga./Loganville High School) drained a three-pointer to cut the Bulldog lead to 27-22 with 9:43 remaining in the opening stanza. Dixson’s three was the only Marygrove field goal until the 3:49 mark of the first half when sophomore forward Thomas Simmons III sent down a dunk to stop the dry spell.

During the six-minute field goal drought, the Bulldogs outscored the Mustangs 15-6 to open up a 42-28 lead with minutes to go before the half. The teams exchanged baskets over the final few minutes of the first half, leading the Bulldogs to a 55-36 advantage at the break.

The 19-point halftime deficit was too much to overcome as the Bulldogs offense continued to click in the second half, scoring 57 more points in the 112-82 decision.

The Bulldogs shot 41-of-74 from the field for a 55-percent clip while the Mustangs put forth a 40-percent effort (24-of-60). Wilberforce’s ability to connect from deep was a big difference in the non-conference contest as the host Bulldogs connected on 14-of-31 from deep compared to only six three’s for the Mustangs.

Miller paced the Mustangs with 20 points and was joined in double figures scoring by Dixson and senior Diante Taylor (Battle Creek, Mich./Central High School) with 17 each. A sophomore guard, Miller enjoyed an efficient day from the floor and charity stripe, knocking down 6-of-8 and 7-of-8, respectively.

Taylor added five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals to his 17-point effort while newcomer Andrew Thompson (Sterling Heights, Mich./Rochester College) led the way on the boards with six. Sirafino Davis (Flint, Mich./Tiffin University) was back in the lineup for the Mustangs, checking in with five rebounds and three blocks in 18 minutes.

Six Bulldogs reached double figures led by Arthur Haggard’s 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor.

The Mustangs visit NAIA counterpart Spring Arbor on Monday (Nov. 9) for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

MEN’S BASKETBALL CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected]/* */ | @tjohnston56
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