After suffering its worst loss in more than two years against Indian River just 10 short days ago, Santa Fe (3-2) came out with something to prove Saturday.
The Saints got a second chance at the Pioneers, and this time they emerged victorious against previously unbeaten Indian River (4-1) in a sloppy 73-63 win.
Both teams turned over the ball more than 20 times during the game.
BThat was probably one of the two or three biggest wins we?ve had,C SFCC coach Chris Mowry said.
SFCC sophomore center Francis Aihe scored 22 points, pulled down eight rebounds, blocked three shots and nailed two 3-pointers in 22 minutes. And he did it all off the bench, a role he embraces.
BThe kind of person that I am. I believe in Coach Mowry?s system,C Aihe said. BI?m just a basketball player. I do what Coach Mowry tells me to do.C
The Saints came out flat in the opening minutes, and when Mowry called a timeout just 3 minutes in to talk things over, Aihe was waiting to fire up his teammates.
BWe looked a little dead out there, like we didn?t have energy,C Aihe said. BI had to pump them up and get them going, get their batteries up.C
The team responded and took a 41-38 lead heading into halftime over the heavily favored Pioneers. It turned out to be a lead the Saints would not relinquish during the final 20 minutes of play.
Freshman forward Julien Bendeke drew the toughest defensive assignment of the night, chasing IRCC point guard Marvin Gray around the court for the entire game.
Bendeke used his 6-inch height advantage to contain Gray while contributing the only other double-digit point performance for the Saints. He finished with 10 points.
BHe?s really a talented kid,C Mowry said of Bendeke.
Freshman guard Roderick Emanual added 7 points and 12 rebounds for an SFCC team that shot 46 percent from the field and 47 percent from the 3-point line.
Despite the Saints? strong shooting display, Mowry pointed to SFCC?s ability to out-rebound IRCC 44-26 as the key to their victory.
BI told them in the locker room after the game that?s where I thought we really won the game and out-played them,C Mowry said.
