Cardinals run away with win over Simmons Panthers
By DONN ADAMSON
Daily Journal Sports Editor
Daily Journal Sports Editor
Nov 22, 2008 - 08:06:02 CST
PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area College Cardinals capped off a four-game night with a 76-58 win over the Simmons College Panthers in their first game of the Bob Sechrest, Sr. Classic.
The Cardinals quickness and court speed left the Panthers on the trailing end of the score for most all of the game. Al Rapier led the way to start the game as he was able to slice past defenders forcing the Panthers to foul in trying to stop him from making the easy basket.
The Panthers gained their first and only lead nine minutes into the game on a three-pointer by Darrell Bell, but seconds later, Mike Stovall made a steal of a Panthers pass and took it to the hoop for a conventional three to give MAC back the lead for good.
Coming into the game from off the bench, Tonye Smith found his shot and scorched the net with four straight shots, scoring all 15 of his points in the first half.
The Cardinals ability to get to the offensive boards seven times during the first half made several extra chances for their offense, and kept them in the lead until they built a double-digit deficit for Simmons on a three by Smith.
The Cardinals defense frustrated the Panthers enough that after two straight steals by MAC, Simmons called time twice within 30 seconds to try and adjust.
MAC (5-3) took a nine-point edge into the locker room at half after Smith found the mark from beyond 21 feet for the second time in the half.
The game’s scoring pace slowed a bit to start the second half as the Panthers defense stood a little taller in stopping MAC’s attacks. Cardinals’ Gerald Fulton took over the scoring duties with two threes in a row, and when the Panthers tried to prevent his three-pointer, the guard blew past the defender to make the inside shot, scoring all 10 of his game’s points in a brief three minute span.
Again Simmons made a small run, but the Cardinals’ defense stiffened and came up with two big steals leading to two straight slam dunks, one each by Mike Stovall and Jeremy Fulton. Fulton had a big night on the boards with 12 rebounds, and Stovall made three steals resulting in five of his 11 points.
The two slams broke the spirit of the Panthers comeback attempt, and the Cardinals were able to increase their lead to as much as 19 with constant transition play which Simmons was often tardy on getting back.
The two teams will play again today in the Classic with Three Rivers taking on Simmons at 5 p.m. and the Cardinals playing Kennedy-King at 7 p.m. Admission for the day is one or more canned food item per person.
Simmons 31 27 - 58
Mineral Area 40 36 -76
Scoring:
Simmons - Darrell Bell 20, Tyrell Hursey 11, Courtney Stampley 9, Derrick Warren 6, Deonta Ridgeway 5, Eugene Wade 4, Sean Jackson 3.
3-pointers - Bell 2, Ridgeway, Hursey.
Mineral Area — Tonye Smith 15, Mike Stovall 13, Gerald Fulton 10, Jeremy Felton 9, Steve Kerr 7, Sean Scott 5, Eric McCrary 5, Al Rapier 5, Shamus Ferguson 2, Korey McDaniel 2, Josh Elam 2, Carlton Guyton 1.
3-pointers - Smith 2, Fulton 2, McCrary, Kerr.
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The Cardinals quickness and court speed left the Panthers on the trailing end of the score for most all of the game. Al Rapier led the way to start the game as he was able to slice past defenders forcing the Panthers to foul in trying to stop him from making the easy basket.
The Panthers gained their first and only lead nine minutes into the game on a three-pointer by Darrell Bell, but seconds later, Mike Stovall made a steal of a Panthers pass and took it to the hoop for a conventional three to give MAC back the lead for good.
Coming into the game from off the bench, Tonye Smith found his shot and scorched the net with four straight shots, scoring all 15 of his points in the first half.
The Cardinals ability to get to the offensive boards seven times during the first half made several extra chances for their offense, and kept them in the lead until they built a double-digit deficit for Simmons on a three by Smith.
The Cardinals defense frustrated the Panthers enough that after two straight steals by MAC, Simmons called time twice within 30 seconds to try and adjust.
MAC (5-3) took a nine-point edge into the locker room at half after Smith found the mark from beyond 21 feet for the second time in the half.
The game’s scoring pace slowed a bit to start the second half as the Panthers defense stood a little taller in stopping MAC’s attacks. Cardinals’ Gerald Fulton took over the scoring duties with two threes in a row, and when the Panthers tried to prevent his three-pointer, the guard blew past the defender to make the inside shot, scoring all 10 of his game’s points in a brief three minute span.
Again Simmons made a small run, but the Cardinals’ defense stiffened and came up with two big steals leading to two straight slam dunks, one each by Mike Stovall and Jeremy Fulton. Fulton had a big night on the boards with 12 rebounds, and Stovall made three steals resulting in five of his 11 points.
The two slams broke the spirit of the Panthers comeback attempt, and the Cardinals were able to increase their lead to as much as 19 with constant transition play which Simmons was often tardy on getting back.
The two teams will play again today in the Classic with Three Rivers taking on Simmons at 5 p.m. and the Cardinals playing Kennedy-King at 7 p.m. Admission for the day is one or more canned food item per person.
Simmons 31 27 - 58
Mineral Area 40 36 -76
Scoring:
Simmons - Darrell Bell 20, Tyrell Hursey 11, Courtney Stampley 9, Derrick Warren 6, Deonta Ridgeway 5, Eugene Wade 4, Sean Jackson 3.
3-pointers - Bell 2, Ridgeway, Hursey.
Mineral Area — Tonye Smith 15, Mike Stovall 13, Gerald Fulton 10, Jeremy Felton 9, Steve Kerr 7, Sean Scott 5, Eric McCrary 5, Al Rapier 5, Shamus Ferguson 2, Korey McDaniel 2, Josh Elam 2, Carlton Guyton 1.
3-pointers - Smith 2, Fulton 2, McCrary, Kerr.