THREE POINT SHOOTING LIFTS WARRIORS

Leavenworth, Kan. - KCAC leading scorer Brandon Coleman of the University of Saint Mary Spires went off for 27 points against the Sterling College Warriors on Thursday night, but received no help from his teammates as the balanced Sterling attack defeated USM 83-71.

Three point shooting was a critical factor in the game as the two teams combined to shoot 42 Three point field goals. Sterling converted on nine while Saint Mary only converted five. SC's Trent Stutzman continues to shoot well from behind the arc as he went 4-7 in the game from behind the arc. Senior Zach Goodrich added went 3-8 as the two players combined for 21 points from behind the arc alone.

Defensively, SC was able to lock down all other USM scorers besides Coleman. No other player was able to score in double figures for Saint Mary.

In the first half, the Warriors struggled to score managing only 37 points in the half. SC made up for the lack of offense by an abundance of defense, holding the Spires to 30 first half points and taking a seven point lead into halftime.

Play opened up in the second half and Sterling was able to answer every Saint Mary run with a run. When the final buzzer sounded, Sterling was on to 83-71 despite being outrebounded by Saint Mary 50-32.

Stutzman led SC in scoring with 20 points. Goodrich scored 14 points, had seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Also scoring in double figures for Sterling was Cody Brazelton with 11 points and four rebounds, and Kenny McGrath with 10 points and five rebounds.

The Warriors remain tied atop the KCAC with Tabor College with a 10-3 conference record, 14-9 overall. On Saturday, Sterling will travel to Wichita to face Friends University at 7:00 pm.