Second Half Propels Eagles Into Semis
Richmond, Ind. - The Asbury men scored 71 points in the second half en route to a 102-95 win over Indiana-East in the First Round of the KIAC Tournament. The Eagles advance to the semi-finals in Frankfort on Friday against the top seed Indiana-Southeast at 6:00 pm.
Asbury (15-16) had five players in double-figures led by Adam Delph (Louisville, Ky.). Delph scored 21 of his game-high 23 points in the second as the Eagles overcame a 34-31 halftime deficit. Delph nearly had a triple-double with eight rebounds a seven assists. The seven assists were a career high for the freshman guard.
Nearly every Eagle had a big game in one way or another, Cory Britt (Cynthiana, Ky.) kept the Eagles close in the first half with 12 of his 21. The junior guard knocked down four-of-seven threes and seven-of-11 from the floor. Overall the Eagles were an efficient seven-of-18 from beyond the arc and shot 55% for the game.
Brian Johnson was a beast on the boards for the Eagles, pulling down a career-high 16 to go along with 15 points. Brock Hurtle added 15 points and Phillip Morrison scored 19 to go along with a career-high seven assists. Morrison knocked down nine-of-11 from the foul line.
Despite the lack of size Asbury was only out-rebounded by one overall in the game, 41-40. The Red Wolves took 25 more shots than the Eagles but shot only 46%. IUE only made six-of-26 from downtown. Asbury's 101 points are the most ever scored by the Eagles in a KIAC Tournament game. Their 71 second-half points are believed to be the most in any half in school history.
Asbury advances to the semi-finals where they will take on #1 seed and NAIA #5 Indiana Southeast on Friday February 26th at 6:00 pm at the Frankfort Civic Center.
