BELTON — Mary Hardin-Baylor coach Ken DeWeese admitted after Thursday’s loss to McMurry University that he made the wrong decision in giving the Crusaders the day off Tuesday.
The Crusaders followed the off day with a bad practice Wednesday and an eight-point loss the next day, snapping UMHB’s eight-game win streak.
So what about Friday’s practice and Saturday afternoon’s contest against Hardin-Simmons University?
The Crusaders easily took care of Hardin-Simmons, beating the Cowboys 96-68 at the Mayborn Campus Center. UMHB (15-6) has won nine of its last 10 game and remains atop the American Southwest Conference West Division at 13-4.
The West Division champ will host the ASC postseason tournament later this month. UMHB is a game ahead of McMurry (12-5), who lost to third-place Concordia University on Saturday. If UMHB and McMurry finished tied for first, the Crusaders’ sweep over Concordia gives them the tiebreaker over McMurry, who split its season series with the Tornados.
About his team’s Friday practice, DeWeese said it was better.
“Definitely,” he said.
Said Dean Pele, who a game-high 25 points for the Crusaders: “When we were on that winning streak, we were getting really into it in practice. Getting into scuffles sometimes, but that happens with teammates. I think Wednesday was more brother-in-law defense.
“We were just going through the motions. We were mentally preparing but not physically preparing.”
It also showed with Pele’s performance in both games. Pele seven 3-pointers Saturday, including four in the first half when UMHB marched out to a 52-29 lead. His 7-of-10 showing from beyond the arc was far better than the 2-of-9 result Pele had Thursday.
“That shooter’s mentality is something that I do not understand,” DeWeese said. “It’s kind of like a placekicker in football. How does a guy that’s getting a millions dollars suddenly not be able to make an extra point? I don’t know — I can’t explain that either.”
The Crusaders shot 54.7 percent against Hardin-Simmons, including 44 percent on 3-pointers. Those totals against McMurry were just 40.7 and 11.1.
Hardin-Simmons led twice in the game, with both leads coming in the opening minutes. Relying on multiple shooters, the Cowboys’ first four shot attempts were 3-pointers. Ryan Carlson put Hardin-Simmons up 3-2 and John Derr’s 3-pointer made it 6-5.
UMHB answered with six straight points as part of a 12-4 run to take control. The Cowboys got as close as five points before an 11-5 Crusader run gave UMHB a double-digit lead with just over eight minutes to play. Crusader dunks bookended the run, with Ervin Johnson putting down a two-handed dunk and Theo Ard finishing it with a reverse, two-handed flush.
Ard scored 22 points, while Johnson and Rich Moore both finished in double figures.
“It was a definite statement game,” Pele said. “It was us showing everyone we had one bad game, but we’re still the best team in the conference.”
Contact Angel Verdejo at averdejo@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7564. Follow him on twitter at kdhsports.
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