Junior shooting guard DJ Baisden continues to impress. The 5'10 Jackson, Michigan native poured in a game high 22 points, dished out four assists and notched a pair of steals in the Cougar's 73-53 victory over visiting Albion College last night.
Baisden netted ten points in the first half to lead an SAU comeback. The Cougars trailed by as many as seven points early in the contest and did not grab their first lead of the game until the 8:05 mark when senior Richard Blair connected on a pair free throws to tie the contest and then picked a Briton's pocket on the defensive end of the floor. Blair got the ball to Baisden across the time line and then took a return pass and knocked down a 12 foot jumper to put Spring Arbor up 16-14. Blair finished the game with eight points and a pair of steals.
Spring Arbor would go up for good when senior Jared List connected on an unassisted three point bomb at the 4:10 mark of the first half. Freshman Chris Bellamy scored the last three Cougar field goals of the first half, including a three point shot which was assisted by fellow freshman Matt Howe. List finished the game with seven points, while Bellamy netted nine, seven of which came in the final three minutes of the first half. The Cougars led by six (30-24) at the intermission.
Spring Arbor stretched its lead in the second half as Baisden continued to be hot from the floor, but Cougar big man Rob Boss also began to heat up. Boss, who didn't score a point in the first half, came to life to the tune of 15 points in the second stanza, and helped the Cougars put the game out of reach. The 6'7 Brighton, Michigan native also grabbed four of his team high five rebounds in the second half of play.
"I was pleased with the way we responded. Our energy and effort was where we expect it," commented SAU head Coach Ryan Cottingham. "DJ was good and he had plenty of support. I'm encouraged by the improvements we continue to see in our younger guys."
The Cougars move to 10-3 overall on the season and will travel to Holland, Michigan on Saturday to compete in their last contest before Christmas break when they take on the Hope College Dutchmen. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
