Nov. 30, 2006

Final Stats

Buckhannon, W. Va. - Four Rock players recorded double-figure scoring efforts Thursday night as interim head coach Jamal Palmer recorded his first collegiate victory, 79-60 over hosting West Virginia Wesleyan.

Erroll Robinson scored a team-high 15 points for SRU (1-3), while Kenny Smith added 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Glenn Reepmeyer also collected 12 points and had 11 rebounds to record The Rock's first "double-double" performance of the season, while Joseph Vines chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Rock did not take its first lead until 13:30 had elapsed on the first-half clock, at which point a layup by Jamar Scales put SRU up, 25-24.

SRU never trailed thereafter, though, as the Green and White scored 18 of the next 19 points to take a 15-point, 43-28, lead with 48 seconds left in the opening 20 minutes.

The Rock held an eight-point, 43-35 lead at halftime and never led by less than seven points in the final half.

The largest Rock lead of the night was a 24-point, 78-54 advantage with four minutes left to play.

Thursday's defensive effort was exactly what Palmer had been seeking from his squad, which had allowed opponents an average of 92 points per game in the first three contests this winter.

Offensively, The Rock enjoyed a 42-24 advantage in scoring "in the paint" and a 24-8 advantage in "points off the bench."

The Rock will look to carry the momentum over to its next game, the home opener in Morrow Field House at 3 p.m. Saturday vs. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "crossover" rival West Chester.

SRU will then host Millersville in another "crossover" game at 3 p.m. Sunday.