PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Men's Basketball team shook off a slow start to conference play with two victories this week versus Middle Georgia State and Faulkner (Ala.) in the Curry Christian Life Center.
On Thursday, Martin Methodist trailed just once and led by as many as 27 in an 85-64 victory versus Middle Georgia State.
Saturday's contest played much tighter as eight ties and eight lead changes unfolded in a 65-61 Martin Methodist victory versus Faulkner (Ala.).
The wins were the first of the season in league play for the RedHawks (5-7, 2-4 SSAC), who got off to a slow start with four straight conference losses. All of the defeats occurred on the road, however, as the RedHawks moved to 4-0 inside the CLC this season.
The RedHawks return to action next week for two more home matchups when they host Brewton-Parker (Ga.) (Jan. 10) and Florida College (Jan 12).
Martin Methodist 85, Middle Georgia 64:
On Thursday, the RedHawks picked up their first SSAC win of the season with a blowout of Middle Georgia State.
Four different RedHawks finished in double-figures as junior guard Aaron Shambry poured in a career-high 19 points. Shambry finished the night 7-of-10 from the floor to shatter his previous career high of nine points, set last season.
Dwayne Ward and Adrian Smith added 15 points apiece to flank Shambry, while Jordan Olison added 13 in the runaway win.
As a team, the RedHawks finished the night 31-of-54 from the floor for a blistering 57.4 percent. The RedHawks also turned in a respectable 7-of-17 shooting night from beyond the arc.
The RedHawks outrebounded the Knights (7-3, 2-3 SSAC) by a 42-32 margin and held Middle Georgia to just 36.4 percent shooting on the night.
Martin Methodist 65, Faulkner (Ala.) 61:
The RedHawks closed the week with a four-point victory versus Faulkner (Ala.), a squad currently receiving votes in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Faulkner was ranked as high as No. 7 in the polls earlier this season.
And while Thursday's win appeared easy, the RedHawks were made to work for Saturday's victory as the contest featured eight ties and eight lead changes.
The RedHawks overcame an eight-point deficit with just under 16 minutes left in regulation to pull off the victory.
Javonte Cooper led the RedHawks to victory with clutch free throw shooting as the senior connected on all 12 of his attempts en route to a game-high 21 points.
Malcanee Mason and Dwayne Ward flanked Cooper in the scoring column with 13 and 11 each as both teams struggled at times to find their shooting touch.
The RedHawks finished the game 23-of-51 from the floor for a 45.1 shooting clip, while the Eagles (9-5, 2-4 SSAC) were limited to a 20-of-54 shooting night and a 37.0 percent clip.
The RedHawks were outrebounded by a 43-34 margin, but forced the Eagles into 20 turnovers – eight of which were RedHawk steals.
The contest marked another thriller between the two ballclubs in the Curry Christian Life Center, with two of the now previous three meetings decided by four points or less.
