Allen Community College held onto a nine point halftime lead against Ottawa University on Tuesday at home in mens basketball action.
Head Coach Andy Shaw demanded more energy from his Red Devils in his halftime team talk, and ACC responded for 60 second-half points en route to a 103-64 win.
Nothing against Ottawa, but the teams we saw over the weekend were a little bit more athletic and shot it a little bit better, head coach Andy Shaw said. They were teams like we are going to see in our conference. Tonight, we were the taller and more athletic team.
ACC was level with Ottawa in total rebounding at the end of the first half, a testament to the Red Devils lack of intensity on the floor to start. Despite being inferior competition, the Braves kept themselves in the game through the early stages.
They were a scrappy bunch, Shaw said. They didnt back down, and made timely threes in the first half to kind of keep the game tight. I was glad to see us open it up in the second half, and we ended up holding them to 30% shooting in the second half.
Shaw applauded ACCs ball movement. The Red Devils finished the game with a season-high 22 assists, double the number ACC was able to display in their first two games of the season.
Malik Hardmon posted his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes of action. Tyus Jefferies finished an efficient 6 of 10 from the floor for 16 points to go along with six assists. NCAA Division I transfer Joel Boyce added 16 points, including a high-flying dunk that was set up by a glass-cleaning block on the defensive end.
Tyus brings energy all the time, whether that be in practice or in games, Shaw said. He knows one speed, and that is full speed, hes almost like a linebacker out there. Hes tough, strong, and has been shooting it pretty well. We need him to continue to play well for us, scoring the basketball, but also being that toughness. Him and Malik bring that toughness, kind of a dont back down from anybody mentality.
Although the Red Devils earned their first win of the season after losing their first two games on their homecourt over the weekend in the Red Devil Classic, ACC still has room for improvement. Shaws men committed 20 turnovers against Ottawa, a trend that needs to be eliminated in order for the Red Devils to have further success as the season progresses.
Against good competition, if you have 20 plus turnovers, it is tough to win, Shaw said. That is what I have been preaching. But this was a different type of game with a lot more possessions.
ACC will travel to Tonkawa on Friday to face Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, and hosts Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa on Saturday.
