ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The reigning River States Conference Defensive Player of the Week
Shon Tupuola starred on the offensive side of the ball on this evening (Dec. 3) as the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods men's basketball earned a 73-60 road victory over Concordia (Mich.).
Tupuola led the way with 28 points and 13 rebounds to record his fifth double-double of the season. He was an eye-popping perfect 14-of-14 from the field in the game. Through 10 games this season, Tupuola is 70-of-93 from the field (75.3 percent) which currently ranks fourth best in the country. It wasn't all offensive for Tupuola who also posted four blocked shots and a pair of steals in the win.
It was the Pomeroys eighth consecutive victory as they improved to 8-2 on the season. They will put their winning streak on the line on Thursday, December 5 at 7 pm (ET) when Simmons (Ky.) visits the Knoerle Center.
Taray Howell joined Tupuola in double figures scoring as he posted 13 points in the win. SMWC was 32-of-64 from the field in the contest (50 percent) and hit a total of five 3-pointers. The Pomeroys scored 16 second chance points off of 16 offensive rebounds and forced 19 Concordia turnovers into 19 points. SMWC scored 42 points in the paint as well as 13 on the fast break.
The defense allowed only 40 percent shooting to Concordia who was able to only convert four 3-point opportunties in the contest.
Concordia would score first in the contest, but the Pomeroys scored the next eight to take a lead they would not relinquish in the contest.
Taeron Hogg scored five in a row himself around the 10 minute mark of the first half to push the lead out to 21-12. Tupuola's fast break dunk as the clock ticked under the five minute mark gave the Pomeroys a 27-17 cushion. Concordia would answer with the final four points of the opening half as the Pomeroys held a 33-27 advantage.
Concordia would hit a trio of charity tosses on their opening possession of the second half before the Pomeroys broke the game open with a 12-0 run which was capped with just over 17 minutes to go on a
Caleb Iheukwu trifecta for the 45-30 lead. Howell's fast break lay-up with 3:59 remaining staked the Pomeroys to a 71-51 lead -- their largest of the game. Concordia scored the final six points of the game but it was SMWC who walked away with the 73-60 victory.
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