The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Sports

Discussion

January 5, 2013

Jets kick off rust, down Eagles

By Dave Ruthenberg, Sports Editor Enid News and Eagle

BROKEN ARROW — Northern Oklahoma College Enid, showing some rust after being idle since playing its last basketball game Dec. 8, defeated Rhema Bible College  81-68 in a non-conference game on Saturday.

The Jets were led in scoring by sophomore Jeremy Espinoza’s 23 points, who also had five offensive rebounds in the win.

“He had  a real good game,” said Jets assistant coach Ryan Mahoney. “He used his ability inside to score over and around people. He played pretty well.”

Espinoza was joined in double figures by Dalen Qualls and Connor Brooks with 11 points and Philip Brown with 10.

Kasey Byrd led the Eagles with 15 points.

NOC Enid took the lead early in the contest, building an 11-point advantage by halftime.

But Mahoney said the team showed the effects of  having not played in nearly one month.

“It was good to get the win,” he said, “but there certainly was some rust there after not playing for 27 days. Hopefully playing this game today will benefit us before playing Tonkawa.”

The Jets (12-3) entertain their rivals from NOC Tonkawa in an important conference game Monday at the Mabee Center, with the women tipping off at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8.

Mahoney said the Jets will need to display more intensity than they showed Saturday against Rhema, which fell to 2-9 on the season.

“They (Tonkawa) like to play uptempo and transition well,” Mahoney said. “They are a good, tough defensive team.

“We’ll need a better effort Monday night. We will have to set the tone and match their intensity and effort. If you can’t get excited for this game (against Tonkawa), you are not a competitor. But we have guys that love to compete and will be up to the challenge.”

Text Only
Sports
Featured Ads
AP Video
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' Jersey Shore Open for Business Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
House Ads