Energetic Start Carries Warriors to Win Over Tabor

Sterling, Kan. - The Sterling College Men's Basketball hosted the Bluejays from Tabor College for a KCAC matchup. Coming off of their first conference loss, the Warriors looked to secure a win. Strong play in the first half gave Sterling a significant lead and they were able to hold on for a 92-86 win.

The Warriors brought out the high intensity energy the first few minutes of the game starting the game on a 9-0 run, and extending it to a 21-3 lead shortly thereafter. Mooch Austin came out blazing with the first five points in the game. Sterling kept the pressure up and didn't allow the Bluejays to score in the first four minutes of the game.

Tabor kept fighting and brought the Warrior lead down to 15 with ten minutes remaining in the first half. There was a lot of back and forth for several minutes before Sterling pushed the lead back to 20 points with a minute left in the first half. A big push from the Bluejays allowed them to cut the lead back to 15 before the break. The halftime score was 56-41 in favor of the Warriors.

Brandon Doss' offense carried the Warriors with 17 first half points. He was nearly perfect making 6-7 from the field. He was 3-3 from the three-point line in the first half and sunk a pair of free throws as well. Elias Ngoga, Mooch Austin, and Jayden Garrison all had eight points. The Warriors shot 55.9% from the field, and an astonishing 63.6%, going 7-11 from three-point range, and 91.7% going 11-12 from the free-throw line.

The lead stayed around 15 points for much of the second half before Tabor went on a 7-0 run to get within 9. The final 10 minutes were filled with a hard-fought effort from both teams. Tabor didn't get closer than seven points until there were thirty seconds left to play in regulation. Ultimately the Warriors came out on top with a final score of 92-86.

Doss led Sterling with 22 points. Austin was right behind with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Elias Ngoga put his stamp on the game with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Sterling shot 52.4% in the game, alongside 40.0% from the three-point line, and beat Tabor on the glass with a total of 33 rebounds. Sterling had 45 bench points compared to Tabor's 17.

Sterling is now 7-2 this season and 3-1 in KCAC action. That puts Sterling in a 3-way tie for second place in the KCAC standings. Tabor falls to 4-5 (1-3) this season. The Warriors are back in action against York University in York, Nebraska on Wednesday, December 6, at 8:00 PM. The Panthers have struggled to get things going this season and are 3-7 (1-3) and are currently on a 3-game losing streak.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.