The SMWC defense continues to shine.
The Pomeroys held visiting IU Kokomo to a season-worst 18 percent from 3-point range and the Cougars' second worst shooting performance overall this season (34.3 percent) on their way to a 82-59 victory Saturday inside Hamilton Arena.
Shon Tupuola helped lead the way in the paint and in limiting second-chance opportunities, setting a new single-game school record with 24 rebounds. Tupuola added 12 points, a blocked shot and two steals.
Tarik Dixon came off the Pomeroys' bench to lead the team in scoring with a season-best 21. Dixon hit 7 of 13 from the field and 4 of 8 from 3-point range.Â
SMWC started the game with defensive intensity, taking an 8-0 lead by the 17:47 mark. The Pomeroys led 17-7 on a bucket by
Chaz Birchfield four minutes later.Â
SMWC held the Cougars without a point for more than 3 1/2 minutes and Dixon made an 8-0 run by himself with two 3-pointers and a mid-range jumper. That put SMWC ahead 35-18 with 4:09 left before halftime.
Greg Jenkins capped off the first half with a jumper with five seconds on the clock.Â
The Pomeroys never let IUK get closer than 12 points in the second half.Â
Greg Johnson connected on a 3-pointer with 9:25 left in the game to make it a 61-41 Pomeroys' lead. He added a two-point jumper and Dixon hit two free throws to make it 65-41 with 7:50 left.
Cobie Barnes finished with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists.Â
Johnson added 12 points, and Birchfield 12.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Dixon surpassed 500 career points at SMWC in his two seasons with the Pomeroys. The Gary, Ind., native is third on SMWC's all-time scoring list behind Elkin Ramirez (600) and Barnes (531).Â
- Tupuola's rebounding average of 12.5 per game is third in the NAIA and leads the RSC.Â
- In league-only games, Tupuola leads the RSC with a 14.5 per game average.
- Birchfield has scored in double figures in all but four RSC games this season.Â
UP NEXTÂ
SMWC visits IU Southeast on Tuesday. Barnes will be playing just a few miles from where he played high school ball at Floyd Central.Â