Dean, Crusaders slam Toccoa Falls
Posted by The Skyliner on November 17th, 2011Cory Guinn
Sports Editor
Guard Chris Dean goes up for a dunk during pre-game warm ups against Toccoa Falls on Saturday, Nov. 5. The Crusaders opened the 2011 season with a convincing 102-74 victory over the Eagles in Hayes Gymnasium.
The North Greenville University men’s basketball team began the 2011-2012 season on a high note with a 102-74 victory over Toccoa Falls College on Saturday night in Hayes Gymnasium.
The Crusaders’ home opener was an exciting one from the beginning as North Greenville and Toccoa Falls traded baskets until a three-pointer by Chris Dean, sophomore sport management, put the Crusaders ahead for good.
North Greenville built a commanding 21-point lead with 2:28 left in the first half and went into half time leading 59-40 after shooting 61.5 percent from the floor, including 50 percent from beyond the arc, while holding the Eagles to 45.8 percent shooting in the first half.
After intermission, head coach Chad Lister and the Crusaders continued to push and opened the second half with an 18-7 run. The second half was highlighted by a high-flying slam dunk by Jason Wray, senior biology.
The Crusaders shot a stellar 55.1 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from three-point range, while the defense held Toccoa Falls to 41.5 percent shooting in the game and forced 17 total turnovers.
Dean led North Greenville with a career-high 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-5 from long range, with three rebounds in 24 minutes.
Paul Harrison, senior sport management, dominated in limited time on the floor as he finished the game with 19 points and a team-high seven rebounds in just 15 minutes of play, while Jonathan Bozymowski, senior sport management, was the only other Crusader to score in double-digits with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The bench played a crucial role for Lister as the Crusader reserves outscored the bench players of Toccoa Falls 35-13 in the game.
Jimmy Ellis, junior biology, led all bench players with eight points in the game, while Zack Shields, senior sport management, finished the game with seven points and five rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.
Jamaal Pryor, junior sport management, had the most complete game of any Crusader as he finished with four points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in the contest.
The Crusaders (1-0, 0-0 in conference) will host their second straight home game tonight, Nov. 16 when they tip off against South Atlantic Conference member Brevard College at 7 p.m. in Hayes Gymnasium.
In last season’s game between the two schools, Brevard downed North Greenville 99-83 in Brevard, N.C.
In the game, Harrison recorded a double-double while leading the team with 25 points on 12-of-19 and 11 rebounds.
Tags: Fall 2011, Vol. 113 - Issue 9