REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS FALL TO SAGINAW IN PRE-SEASON OPENER
The reigning National Champion Humber Hawks opened their pre-season slate on Monday night, playing host to the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals. Nine players from last year's championship group were in Humber's lineup, along with four newcomers headlined by highly touted recruits C.J. Bennett and Jalen King. The visiting NCAA Division II Cardinals are coming off a 21-9 season that saw them go ten games over .500 in conference play and return the majority of their key contributors.
The opening minutes were sloppy on both ends, with strong perimeter defense forcing multiple turnovers for each side. Humber picked it up midway through the first for a string of possessions; a Vule Grujic finish in the paint was followed by a midrange jumper from Curwin Elvis to give the Hawks a one point advantage. The final minutes of the quarter featured some more rough play in transition and after the first ten the blue and gold trailed 21-19.
The second quarter began with more of the same from the Hawks, unable to gain any traction in the half-court. Down nineteen with just under three minutes left in the half, Humber's fast-break game perked up, leading to a pair of Balijyot Judge baskets. Despite the mini-run, Humber was unable to put much of a dent in the margin. At the half the Cardinals held a 48-30 lead.
The first few minutes of the third saw Humber go on another mini-run, with C.J. Bennett's lay-in followed by a corner three from Gibson Eduful. Curwin Elvis carried the momentum with a slashing finish and Vule Grujic hit a deep triple shortly thereafter. After three, the deficit sat at 71-46.
Newcomer C.J. Bennett opened the final frame with a nice finish off a missed free throw, and Kenny Ejim followed that by canning a sixteen-footer. Matt Buokvec's jumper from the left corner cut the deficit, but it was too little too late as the Hawks fell 88-68 to open their pre-season. Kenny Ejim and C.J. Bennett led the way with eleven points apiece.
Next up for the Hawks is a tilt next Wednesday against the Seton Hill Griffins, opening tip is set for 8pm in the Athletic Centre.
