Hillsboro, Kan. - The Tabor College Men's Basketball team got its first win of the 2008-09 season Monday, defeating Haskell Indian Nations University in a game filled with plenty of offense, 97-91.
"It is always good to get the first win of the season, but there was also a little bit of a bitter sweet feeling as well," said Head Coach Micah Ratzlaff. "The team did not seem satisfied with the way we played for 40 minutes."
After struggling to score in its season opener against Rogers State (shooting a mere 30 percent from the field), the Bluejays found their rhythm against the Indians, shooting 55 percent from the field and 46 percent from the three-point line.
"We did some good things on the offensive end, but I felt we got out worked on the boards, and did not put out the type of pressure that we are capable of on the defensive end," said Ratzlaff.
The Bluejays used a balanced attack on offense. Eleven players scored in the game with four players scoring in double figures, led by senior Zack Vanselow (Papillion, Neb.) with 25 points and eight rebounds.
Senior Aaron Whitelaw (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored 16 points with a team-high five assists. Senior Jason Hett (Marion, Kan.) added 12 points, while junior Orson Thomas (Grenada.) chipped in with 10 points.
The Bluejays offense was helped in large part by limiting its turnovers to just 10 for the game. The men improved their ball movement on offense, with 18 assists, something it did not do in its season opener against Rogers State.
"On a positive note, we are healthy again and we are getting a chance to practice full strength," added Ratzlaff.
Tabor (1-1 overall) will host Peru State at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14.
