December 13, 2004
SAINTS CONTINUE HOT STREAK DEFEATING NO. 19 FRANK PHILLIPS
The Seward County Saints are riding a hot streak heading into the end of 2004. The Saints (11-3, 0-0 in the Jayhawk West) have won six straight games and this past weekend defeated both Newman University 89-64 and No. 19 Frank Phillips College 95-88 in the Pizza Hut Classic at Seward County Community College.
Head Coach Dave Brown saw his team play their best overall game this season against No. 19 Frank Phillips. The Plainsmen never took a lead in the entire game but did tie the score on three different occasions in the second half. With 10:00 remaining in the second half, freshman Raynard Sawyer gave the Saints a big lift hitting two three-pointers and tipping in a missed lay up by Keoni Watson to give the Saints a nine point lead as the teams headed down the stretch.
Watson was consistently hitting big shots for the Saints and penetrating the lane to make things easier for big man, Adam Tanner, who also had a huge game for the Saints scoring 27 points and grabbing a season high 14 rebounds. Tanner was also 7-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Watson was the team’s leading scorer in both games last weekend scoring 31 points in each game. For the two games Watson was 25-for-55 (.455%) from the field, scored 62 points, dished out seven assists and had five steals. Watson is now averaging 18.9 points per game and leads the Saints in 13 statistical categories.
Sophomore Brian McCarther also had a strong weekend for the Saints. He had 34 points, 17 rebounds in the two games, and is now averaging 11.1 points per game and 5.5 rebounds a contest.
The Saints had a big impact on Frank Phillips Jerome Richardson. Richardson came into the Pizza Hut Classic leading the nation (NJCAA) in scoring (24 ppg,). Against Seward in 33 minutes of play Richardson shot just .409 from the field (9-for-22) and was 0-for-5 from three point land. Richardson finished the game with 22 points but was unable to get open looks at the basket because of high intensity Saints defense.
The Saints will be off until after the New Year when they open Jayhawk West conference play and travel to Dodge City on January 5. The Saints first home conference game is against Butler on January 8 in the Green House.
BOX SCORE vs. Newman University J.V.
BOX SCORE vs. Frank Phillips College
