Wednesday, December 03, 2008 The Super Pit
GAME NOTES/QUOTES
Tristan Thompson led two Mean Green players in double figures with a career-high 20 points. He was perfect from both the floor (6 of 6 FGs) and the free throw line (6 of 6 FTs). This is the third consecutive game for Thompson to score in double figures this season.
Thompson is the first NT player to shoot 100.0 percent from the floor since Adam McCoy connected on 8-of-8 last March against Arkansas St.
Thompson also is the third NT player to shoot 1.000 at the free throw line this season; Dominique Johnson (9-9 vs. Indiana State) and Eric Tramiel (6-6 vs. Indiana State) were perfect earlier this season.
Thompson connected on 2-of-2 three-pointers in the game, matching his career best in made three-pointers in a game.
Eric Tramiel was the game’s leading rebounder after grabbing a career-best 11 rebounds. It was his first career game to reach double figures in rebounds.
Kedrick Hogans, the only other NT player in double figures against the Bearkats, finished with 10 points. It marked the first time this season for Kedrick to score in double figures.
NT forced Sam Houston into making 20 turnovers, an opponent season-high.
NT registered a season-high eight steals in the game, led by 2 each by George Odufuwa, Kedrick Hogans and Dominique Johnson.
NT improved to 33-27 vs. the Bearkats.
NT’s 28 firsthalf points marked a season-low in first-half scoring for the team.
HEAD COACH JOHNNY JONES QUOTES
“We knew coming in this was going to be a hard fought battle, a battle that ultimately spanned 40 minutes. This game came down to the last second before it was settled. We put ourselves in a bind from the free throw line in the first half and then began the second half the same way before settling down and hitting 12 of 14 down the stretch. I thought (making the free throws) was testament to this team’s character.”
“Sam Houston is very good at penetrating and dishing and they have great shooters in Pevehouse (Lance) and Mitchell (Ashton). I thought the combination of Josh White, Dominque Johnson and Tristan Thompson made big plays both offensively and defensively down the stretch for us. The trio did a good job of creating turnovers and holding their great shooters to 11% from three point and 32 % in the second half. That was key for us as we made our run to gain the lead.”
“I told the guys that there are going to be off nights shooting from the field and off nights form the free throw line, but the one constant that can always be there is defense and that is something we will continue to focus on.”
