CEDAR CITY, Utah — Dwayne Morgan and Cameron Oluyitan led the T-Birds with 20 and 19 points, respectively, as SUU rolled past the West Coast Baptist College Eagles 109-63 Tuesday night.
“[It] was a good night for us in terms of how we’re trying to establish our culture and how we want to play,” Head Coach Todd Simon said.
Oluyitan and Morgan shined bright, but the T-Birds also got important contribution from freshmen Maizen Fausett and Harrison Butler, who pitched in 16 and 15 points respectively.
“(Coming off the bench) didn’t really change the way I approached the game. I approached [it] the same way,” Morgan said. “I’m a team player. I don’t have a problem coming off the bench. Coach Simon is my guy and I believe in him… I believe in his vision.”
A high point for the Thunderbirds was their 28 assists on 43 made field goals. In their first game the T-Birds posted more assists in a game than they did in any game of last season.
“They’re willing passers,” Simon said. “They really want to make the right play and that’s really been an emphasis since last spring.”
The T-Birds also forced an astounding 29 turnovers in the game while only committing 10.
“Defense is an effort thing. That’s what Simon preaches to us,” Morgan said. “We know we’re talented on the offensive end. We’re going to have to win games on the defensive end.”
Oluyitan scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half with an impressive seven of eight shooting, including several easy points off turnovers, and was three of four from downtown.
In all, the Thunderbirds had five players score in double figures with Oluyitan, Morgan, Fausett, Butler and senior guard Brandon Better scoring seemingly at will against a severely overmatched West Coast Baptist squad.
Ian Russell led the Eagles with 22 points, and Stephen Wheeler added 15 in the losing effort.
The T-Birds will be in action once again on November 10, this time on the road to face the San Jose State Spartans at 7 p.m. MST.
Story by: Kurt Meacham for SUU News
kurtleymeacham@gmail.com
Photo by: SUU Athletics Strategic Communication
