Ariy-El Boynton

A new season and many fresh faces were a sight to see for the SDSU men’s basketball team as they defeated the University of Mary 61-54 on Nov.12 at Frost Arena.

The Jacks started two freshmen, Sioux City, Neb., native Clint Sargent and Santa Clarita, Calif., native. Michael Palarca, fellow freshmen Anthony Cordova and Josh Cassady made significant contributions to non-league victory. At one point head coach Scott Nagy put four freshmen in the line up at one time.

Coach Nagy wanted to give his freshmen playing time. He was disappointed with 23 turnovers and expects his freshmen to play better.

Two sophomores, Kai Williams and Garrett Callahan, along with senior Ben Beran led the freshmen and the Jacks (1-0) to the non-league victory over Division II victory over UM. The trio almost scored over a third of SDSU’s points, with Williams and Beran scoring 14 points, while Callahan scored 12 points in the season opener for the Jackrabbits.

The Marauders (0-1) listed the game as an exhibition game, which meant they were holding back or SDSU is seven points better than them; either way the victory was much needed for the Jacks and the 1,367 fans cheering the Yellow and Blue.

With the victory, a new attitude could be given to the men’s program which could have been missing from the men’s program in a few years, optimism. Nagy is sure that his boys will play better in the upcoming weeks.

Despite going an early 12-0 lead, Mary fought back with a two-point jumper by Zach Dosch to take the lead to a mere six points with 9:31 left in the game. SDSU took a 26-19 advantage going into the locker room.

In the second half Mary and their bench started to make the game very interesting at the end of the game. Mary cut lead to 54-48 via two three-pointers by Jordan Wilhelm. Both teams traded baskets until the end of the game, where the Jacks iced the ball for the victory.

#1.883099:1656455594.jpg:mensbballBR.jpg:Head basketball coach Scott Nagy talks to his team during a time out.:Blair Rau