Men's Basketball Secures Win in Season Opener

(ELSAH, Ill.)-Thomas More University's men's basketball team defeated Southwest Baptist on Friday evening (Nov 14) in their season opener at the Crossover Classic, 70-53. The Saints overall record improves to 1-0.

• Redshirt sophomore Kai Simpson (Lexington, Ky.Fredrick Douglass) knocked in three free throws to kick off the Saints 13-0 run to start the game with 19:06 on the clock.
• Redshirt first year Daniel Allen (Hodgenville, Ky./Larue County) dunked the ball to close out the Saints 13-0 run with 15:19 to play in the first half.
• Kai Simpson drained a 3-point basket with 9:59 to play to continue the Saints 19-12 lead.
• Sophomore Tyler Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) made a layup to extend the Saints lead to 32-21 with 5:33 remaining in the half.
• With 1:03 left to play in the half, Kai Simpson made a layup for the final basket of the half to give the Saints the 40-26 lead going into the locker room at the half.
• Kai Simpson led the Saints with 14 points and three assists and tallied one rebound in the first half.
• Sophomore Jashaun Pouncy (Erlanger, Ky./Cooper) led the Saints with four rebounds in the first half and two points and two assists.
• The Saints were 53.1% (17-32) from the field, 25% (3-12) from the 3-point line, and 71.4% (5-7) from the free throw line. 

• Kai Simpson made a layup to start things off in the second half to put the Saints up 42-26 with 19:44 to play.
• Junior Carson Browne (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) knock in a 3-point shot with 15:26 on the clock to make it a 48-31 game.
• Kai Simpson drove to the rim for a basket to make it a 55-44 game with 9:12 to play in the half.
• With 6:22 to play, Carson Browne hit a 3-point basket to extend the Saints lead to 61-49.
• Senior Mitchell Rylee (Ft. Mitchell, Ky./Covington Catholic) makes an alley-oop to close out the scoring for the Saints with 1:06 remaining to secure the Saints 70-53 win over the Bearcats.
• Carson Browne led the Saints with nine points and three rebounds in the second half.
• Kai Simpson followed with seven points and tallied three rebounds and three assists to lead the team in the second half.
• Redshirt sophomore Zion Crowe (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee), redshirt sophomore Jack McCune (Paducah, Ky./McCracken County), and redshirt first year Carter Mallernee (Johnstown, Ohio/Northridge) all tallied three rebounds to lead the Saints in the second half.
• The Saints were 40% (12-30) from the field, 38/5% (5-13) from the 3-point line, and 100% (1-1) from the free throw line in the second half. 

• Kai Simpson led the Saints with 21 points and six assists and had three rebounds.
• Carson Browne followed with 12 points and four rebounds.
• Jashaun Pouncy and Zion Crowe both tallied six rebounds to lead the team.
• The Saints were 46.7% (28-60) from the field, 32% (8-25) from the 3-point line, and 75% (6-8) from the free throw line. 

The Saints return tomorrow (Nov 15) at 4:00 pm ET against Drury in Eslah, Ill. in the Crossover Classic.