Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos, and to hear post-game comments from Ziad Abouali, Trey Frye, and Coach Matt Johnson. Also click the AUDIO button to hear Abouali's player spotlight interview.
MUSKEGON---The Bay College Norse men's basketball team stayed undefeated in games away from Escanaba, leading for almost the entire game on Saturday in beating the Muskegon Community College Jayhawks, 71-45, in Muskegon.
The Norse improved to 13-4 overall and 2-1 in MCCAA North Play. Bay also improved to 7-0 in away or neutral site contests. They'll try to improve on their 4-4 home record with two conference games next Wednesday and Saturday.
“I thought we were great defensively again,” Norse Coach Matt Johnson said. “I don't know if we can sustain that (42.5 points allowed over two games), but I really hope like heck we can. That's just a phenomenal effort. Our guys flew around, we were active. We made everything they were doing uncomfortable. We never let them get settled in. They missed shots they normally make because we were rushing them.”
Bay led just 18-15 midway through the first half before going on an 11-0 run, led by back-to-back very long triples from Trevor Nolan off the bench, Adam Page scored twice, and Savion Johnson scored on a put-back that made it 31-20 at halftime.
In the second half, Muskegon closed to within 40-35 before Taveon Vann and Ziad Abouali both went to work inside. An electrifying slam dunk by Abouali pushed the lead to 48-37, and he scored again on the next possession to make it 50-37.
In between, there was a lengthy timeout as blood was cleaned up from the floor after Abouali hurt his finger on the rim during that slam dunk.
Bay College led, 52-42, but finished the game on a 19-3 run, with Trey Frye III getting three baskets, and the Norse got triples from Emerson Droubie and Kyler Sager for some icing on the cake.
The Norse had balanced scoring again.
Abouali led the way with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.
“We obviously had a plan to play through him, and to get him and Savion and Taveon touches, and they did,” Johnson said. “31 of our 63 shots were through those three guys. That was absolutely intentional. We did some really good stuff.”
“For sure the most rebounds I've had this year, I got 13,” Abouali said. “Hopefully this is like the normal, from now until the end of the season. I've got to work on my crashing, both offensively and defensively. I've got to get my field goal percentage up. Can't shoot that poorly. But other than that, great win today, and hopefully, better for the next one.”
Droubie scored 12 points on four triples, and he grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double. Vann chipped in ten points and seven rebounds, and Frye was strong off the bench with an impressive stat line: ten points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, all in 21 minutes of play.
“I feel like the defense has gotten a lot better,” Frye said. “I've struggled with it. I decided I need to step it up. I watched film...I got chewed out in film, so I knew I needed to play better defense. I just came with it today. I wasn't making shots in the first half, and I knew in the second half I would get an opportunity, so I got warm.”
Muskegon (8-8 overall, 2-1 MCCAA North) was led by David Cross with eleven points and Joel Katembo scored eight points and had six rebounds. Ny'Zhem Marshall did not score, but he led the Jayhawks with ten rebounds.
The Norse were 9-of-22 (41-percent) from three-point territory, but struggled at the free throw line, making only 8-of-20 (40-percent) foul shots.
Bay had a huge rebounding advantage, grabbing 54 boards to 35 for Muskegon.
Bay College will host Alpena Wednesday night, and will stay at home Saturday for a game against Delta College.
Wednesday's game against Alpena starts at 7:30 and Saturday's game against Delta College will start at 3:00. Both will be broadcast live on Maverick 106.3 FM, the Voice of the Norse, and on-line at www.radioresultsnetwork.com.
