SC Kansas News

The Sterlin College men's basketball team continues to find success on the court. This weekend, the opponent was the University of Saint Mary Spires who have been struggling to get anything going this season. For the Warriors, picked last in the KCAC preseason poll, they have consistently moved up the conference standings. They currently sit at #5, just a half game back of the Bethel College Threshers, a team they beat head-to-head earlier this season. The game with the Spires was physical, and at times sloppy, but the Warriors walked out of the gym with a 69-57 win.

Sterling started with a 7-0 run and never trailed in the contest. Not something that has been said in recent years but is becoming a trend in the Gleason Center these days. Derrian Reed got the offense started for Sterling with an opening possession three followed by a pair of baskets by Will Thigpen. When Sterling turned to the bench, the lead was extended. Kavonte Kinney was the top scoring threat off the bench scoring 10 first half points, the most of any Warrior, and Chris Drake led all players with 5 first half rebounds off the bench. As the first half wore on, Sterling maintained a lead of close to 10 points. The final five minutes of the first half ended with solid Sterling defense and a handful of buckets. The Spires remained scoreless over those 5 minutes and went on a 10-0 run and took a comfortable, for the moment, 35-18 lead into the locker room. Lucas Briar and Thigpen each had 8 points as Sterling shot nearly 52% from the field in the first twenty minutes.

The second half neither team was able to find a big advantage and go on any kind of a run. The pace was slow with play stoppages and as the game moved forward, it became more physical as typically happens as games progress. The Warrior lead bounced from 12 points to 18 in the second half. Kinney continued to be a consistent source of offense in the minutes that he played. With five minutes remaining in the game, the Spires were in the midst of a 5-1 run that cut Sterling's led to 10 points. A team technical assessed to the Spires did not give them the energy that it was supposed to achieve. Although Saint Mary made a final push and cut the lead to 8 with a minute and a half left in the game, Sterling held off their advances and made four straight free throws in the final minute. Sterling came away with the 69-57 win and finished the first run through the conference with a 7-5 conference record. With the unbalanced schedule that the KCAC conference plays, there are just ten conference games remaining for the Warriors. The two teams the Warriors won't play are their most recent opponents, Ottawa and Saint Mary.

Kavonte Kinney left his impact on the game by playing just 22 minutes and leading all scorers and rebounders with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Will Thigpen added 15 points and 5 rebounds. Lucas Briar added 11 points, 3 rebounds, and added 2 steals.

Sterling shot 47% (24-51) from the field, 33% (4-12) from beyond the arc, and 61% (17-28) from the free throw line, overcoming missing seven straight free throws at one point.

Sterling climbs to 11-7 this season and 7-5 in the KCAC which puts them in a prime spot to climb in the standings. They have head-to-head matchups coming up with each of the four teams ahead of them in the standings. The Warriors return to action next Saturday at Tabor College with the tip-off at 7 pm.  

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.

Original source can be found here.