Hillsboro, Kan. - Getting off to a good start every year is exactly what every coach wants his team to do. The Tabor College Men's Basketball won its second straight game at home Friday, night, using a huge second half run to blow past Peru State College (Peru, Neb.), 93-56.
The contest was made even more interesting as the Bluejays were without Head Coach Micah Ratzlaff who was nursing a bad back. Assistant Coach Anthony Monson picked up were Ratzlaff left off, as he recorded his first win as a college coach.
After s sluggish first 10 minutes in which Tabor was down 18-14, the Bluejays rebounded nicely, as they took a 12 point lead into the half.
"After a slow start I thought our guys did a tremendous job picking up their intensity of the defensive end which helped get our offensive rolling as well," said Monson.
"I think this win really shows the talent and depth we have on this team and what a weapon it can be for us this season."
Tabor continued to build on its first half lead and picked up its intensity on both side of the ball outscoring Peru State, 49-25, in the second half.
Fourteen Bluejays scored in the game led by Junior Orson Thomas (Grenada) with 16 points going a perfect 8 of 8 from the field; and sophomore Damon Dechant (Kit Carson, Colo.), recording his first double-double of the year with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bluejays also moved the ball well tallying 21 assist on the night, led by sophomore Kyle de Blonk (Emporia, Kan.), with six assists. Junior Kyle Kroeker (Hillsboro, Kan.), chipped in with five assists.
Defensively, the Bluejays pressured the Bobcats all night. Tabor forced 30 turnovers and recorded 20 steals, led by Kroeker with eight. The Bluejays scored 40 points off turnovers.
"I was really proud of the effort our guys made," Monson said. I feel we really took some steps forward as a team especially on the defensive side of the ball. I hope we continue to build off those steps,"
The Bluejays (2-1 overall) will travel to Crete, Neb. to take on Doane College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.
