Box Score (CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) — The Thomas More University men's basketball team defeated the University of Rio Grande, 76-51, on Saturday afternoon (December 21, 2019) at the Connor Convocation Center behind a 23-point game by first-year Reid Jolly (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County).
- Thomas More led 12-7 and then went on a 10-2 run to take a 22-9 lead with 10:40 remaining.
- The Saints outscored the RedStorm 26-8 in the paint in the first half and 16-2 off turnovers.
- Thomas More shot 16-of-25 from the field (64.0 percent)
- The Saints forced 11 turnovers in the half, with Tyrice Walker (Hamilton, Ohio/Summit Country Day) and Luke Rudy (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) each coming up with three steals.
- Keegan Saben (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) led all scorers in the half with 14 points at the break.
- Thomas More remained hot in the second half, shooting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field.
- The Saints outscored the RedStorm 13-3 off turnovers in the second half.
- Thomas More improved to 11-1 overall, while Rio Grande fell to 8-8.
- Overall, the Saints shot 31-of-50 from the field (62.0 percent) and held the RedStorm to 19-of-48 from the field (39.6 percent).
- As a team, Thomas More was 13-of-18 from the free throw line (72.2 percent).
- Thomas More's defense held Gunner Short, Rio Grande's leading scorer who entered play averaging 18.3 points per game, to two points on 1-of-8 shooting and four turnovers.
- The Saints entered play leading NAIA Division I in three-point percentage, but shot just 1-of-8 from beyond the arc (12.5 percent).
- Jolly finished with 23 points and five rebounds, leading all players in both categories.
- Saben scored 16 points with three rebounds.
- Sophomore center Ryan Batte (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) scored 14 points with three rebounds and three assists.
- Junior forward Garren Bertsch (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) scored 11 points off the bench.
- Thomas More will be back in action on Monday, December 30, when they will welcome Asbury University to the Connor Convocation Center. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The two teams previously met this season on October 29, with the Saints picking up a 73-55 road win in their season opener.
