by By Reid Williams
(Lawrence, KS) – The HINU Men’s Basketball team finished the 2015-2016 season on a high note. Haskell would defeat Crowley’s Ridge College 84-64, in Coffin Complex Thursday night, and rebounded from a tough 95-79 loss Saturday against College of the Ozark, where the seniors of both the Men’s and Women’s team where honored. From Thursday’s opening tip, won by senior Dallas Rudd, to the final standing ovation for all five seniors (Marcus Middleton, Ralston Moore, Wilber Everett, Duelle Gore, and Dallas Rudd), the Indians would completely dominate their opponent. The 20 point victory would be the largest victory this year for the Indians.
Haskell would take a 10-6 lead in the first 6 minutes of the game and by the 10 minute mark of the first half, HINU would lead 21-14 thanks to another hot start for senior Duelle Gore. Crowley’s Ridge would bring the score to within one with 2:27 left in the first half, but Haskell would close out the half on a 10-2 run and be leading 42-33 at the half.
In the second half Haskell would pick up right where they had left off in the first, extending their lead to 21 points with 5:53 left in the game. The Indians would coast the rest of the way to their 84-64 victory, sending their five seniors off in style.
The Indians would shoot 50 percent from the floor, and end up plus 9 on turnovers. The five seniors would combine for 62 points, 74 percent of Haskell’s total offense. Duelle Gore would once again lead all scores with 23 points, finishing this year with 505 total points. His average of 19 points a game ranks as the 33rd highest in all of NAIA Div.II basketball.
The Indians finished 7-20 in the first year under Coach Downing, and showed continued improvement as the year went on. HINU will return two starters next year (Joe Moudy and Tsalidi Sequoyah) and look to improve in the second year under Coach Downing.
As for the seniors that are graduating, Dallas, Duelle, Marcus, Ralston, and Wilber, we want to thank you and wish you the best of luck in the future.
