Second Half Surge Sends Saints Past Eastern Oklahoma State

In the first meeting since the third place game on the 2012 NJCAA Tournament, the Seward County Saints defeated the Eastern Oklahoma State Mountaineers 93-79 Saturday night.  It was the final game of the Pizza Hut Classic in the Green House.

The Mountaineers raced to a 32-18 first half lead and led 40-37 at the half after making 8-14 from three point range.  But the Saints blistered the Mountaineers in the second half out pacing Eastern 56-39.  Seward led points in the paint 40-16.  Seward shot 42 percent but made 30-41 free throws in the win.  Eastern was 13-32 from three point range.  Seward out rebounded Eastern 51-38.

Branton McCrary and Roy Clarke scored 17 a piece.  Nika Metskhvarishvili had 13 points and seven rebounds.  Rostic Novitski had 11 points and seven rebounds.  Stephen Takyi had 10.

Seward is 2-0 and Eastern is 0-2.  The Saints play the Lamar JV Thursday night at 7 in the Green House for their one game in the Pepsi Classic.  Tickets are available at both Liberal Hutch’s.