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Show The Tkunderbvrd Monday, January 9, 1984 Page V Birds split pair RMAC mark with Cagers come home Coach Bob Schermerhorn said he figured the Southern Utah State Thunderbirds would have to garner at least a split in weekend action to keep pace with the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference mens basketball race. Schermerhorns assured themselves of the split Friday when they dealt Colorado School of Mines an loss. However, SUSC fell 86-7- 7 to Southern Colorado 100-7Saturday in Pueblo. We had to have a split, and we did it the easy way by winning Friday, Schermerhorn said. Now well come home and try to get our conference record above .500, and win some home games. in The Thunderbirds, now RMAC play, face Western State Thursday at 7.30 p.m. in the 2-- 2 War Memorial Fieldhouse. SUSC remains at home to deal with Mesa College next Monday. The big difference in Fridays win was the presence of SUSC center Bob Evans. Evans, who became eligible for the first time last week, added a dimension to the SUSC offense that intimidated Mines inside. Big Bob made a difference for us, Schermerhorn said. We could throw the ball to him inside and let their defensive men collapse on him. Then Bob could pass back out for uncontested perimeter jump shots. Schermerhorns tactics seemed to have worked, as Evans scored only six points but passed for several assists and helped Shawn Daniels and Eddie Benson to their respective 20 and 18 point performances. 2-- 2 Following its offensive patterns meticulously, SUSC lead at the close opened a of the first half. Benson had the hot hand for Southern Utah, hitting on outside jumpers and fast break layups. 38-3- 0 The Thunderbirds dominated play in the opening minutes of the second stanza. SUSC took lead with 16.37 to an Benson when slipped play behind the defense and was assisted to an easy layup by a Maz Trakh pass. Though the Thunderbirds shot well that night, rebounding, not shooting, was the key for SUSC, Schermerhorn said. When you block out as well as we did, you can expect to hold an edge in the rebound column, Schermerhorn commented. We outrebounded and thats them important. When we rebound 40-2- well, we win. Though Evans fouled out with five minutes remaining, his spot was ably filled by Bryan Olson, who came off the bench to contribute 10 points and immense defensive pressure. It wasnt so much that Southern Colorado played so well in the second half as it was that we just ran out of gas, Schermerhorn said following the loss. Our kids have not played well on the second night of a long road trip all season. Schermerhorn said he felt Southern Colorado showed a lack of class when the Indians kept a press on until the final minutes, just to able to score 100 points. They had the game won, but they kept the pressure on, Schermerhorn said. full-cou- rt SUSCs Joe Riley (52) shoots over Mike Havrisik (20) of Cal - Riverside during a recent game. Tim Bell (50) and Bill Rohnkohl (22) prepare to rebound. Big Bob becomes eligible, dons T'Bird togs Southern Utah States mens basketball team received a big lift last weekend when Bob Evans suited up for the first time this season. contributing factor to SUSCs success on the road over the weekend. Big Bob is what every team needs, Schermchorn said 7 win following Fridays ever Colorado Mines Hes a big, intimidating center who can get a good shot inside, will play defense and help you control the boards. Like many players who go on to star m ti e college and professional ranks, Evans never 86-7- Evans, a 1 center was ineligible fall quarter after transferring from Texas Tech. With the commencement of winter quarter, however, Evans regained eligibility, and Coach Bob Schermerhorn singled out Evans as a major played high school basketball. Bob was into motorcycle racing, said Lucretia, Evans wife. He wanted to be a professional motocross racer. While watching a basketball game, however, Bob decided that with his height, perhaps he could make a living playing ball, she continued. Evans went to see Tom Lubin, a coach who specialized m working with big men, Lucretia said. Tom had worked hard with both Swen Nater and Mark Eaton, and he worked just as hard to help Bob, she said. Evans received several honors while playing for Cypress (Ca.) Junior College, and helped lead his team to the conference championship m his sophomore year. After a year at Texas Tech, Evans said he decided to play elsewhere, and was recruited by Schermerhorn to SUSC. |