#RSCgotw MBB: Asbury rides top-ranked offense to 140-124 win over Brescia
By Zack Penalva, Asbury Sports Information
WIMORE, Ky. -- When Asbury University's high-volume system works, it really works. With the Eagles shooting over 50 percent from the floor, they beat the Brescia Bearcats 140-124, in the River States Conference Men's Basketball Game of the Week on Thursday night. The score line marks the highest point total for the Eagles so far this season. The win also puts the team at 7-5 overall with a 2-1 record in the RSC.
Asbury entered the game ranking No. 1 in NAIA Division II in scoring offense with 112 points per game. Thursday's game was the latest edition of the fast pace, which resulted in 100 shot attempts and 52 made field goals.
The Bearcats came out of the gate quick, looking match the Asbury's high-tempo. At first, it looked like they would. Brescia hopped out to a quick lead and the Eagles poor shooting from deep meant they were coming up empty on a lot of possessions. After going an abysmal 1-for-6 from behind the arc in the opening five minutes, a good run of shooting catapulted the Eagles into the lead.
Asbury pushed the pace from there, forcing 16 turnovers in the first half and not allowing Brescia a chance to get back in the game. Three Eagles were in the double-digits by the end of the first 20 minutes, with Trenton Thompson leading the team with 20 points.
Tyler Smith closed out the half with a big play. After jumping to intercept a pass, he took the ball coast to coast before finishing at the rim and drawing contact for the and-one. It was the typical full-throttle play for the Eagles, and it gave them a 10-point advantage going into halftime.
From there, it was all Asbury. The Eagles broke the 100-point mark with 13 minutes left in the second half and Trenton Thompson and Austin Kindred led the way. After scoring 20 in the first period of play, Thompson would go on a tear to end the game with a career-high 36 points and an additional 8 rebounds. Kindred would also finish the game with a career high of 27 after bursting into the starting lineup this season. Tyler Smith, Daulton Peters and Clarien Washington would also finish off the night with double-digit scoring.
It's a morale boosting result for the Eagles ahead of their road game against Hunting University on Saturday Dec. 10. From there, the Eagles will have a conference game against 19th-ranked Indiana University Southeast on Dec. 17.
Dillon Geralds scored a game-high 37 points for Brescia, which had a total of five players in double figures. Trey Howard scored 18 points. Brescia (2-6, 0-3 RSC) has its next game Dec. 10 at Alice Lloyd.