The Anderson University men's basketball team crushed conference-leading Defiance College with a 90-62 victory during Wednesday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.
"It was a great team defensive effort," Coach Owen Handy said. "We started a little bit slow at that end of the floor, but settled in nicely and consistently executed our game plan from that point forward."
Anderson (4-5, 2-1) converted 34-of-73 (46.6 percent) shots from the field and 8-of-29 (27.6 percent) attempts from 3-point range. The Ravens held the Yellow Jackets (7-2, 2-1) to 36.4-percent (24-of-66) shooting from the floor and 10-percent (2-of-20) shooting from the perimeter.
Defiance committed 13 turnovers while Anderson turned the ball over just six times. The Ravens outscored the Yellow Jackets 16-2 off turnovers.
Anderson utilized a tough non-conference schedule to prepare for the HCAC season.
"I think we are starting to see the quality of our non-conference schedule paying off."
Maurice Knight racked up career highs of 24 points and 19 rebounds. The junior from Frankton blasted his previous rebounding high of 11. Knight also blocked two shots. Ronny Williams contributed 23 points and five assists.
"For the second game in a row, it was the Maurice Knight and Ronny Williams show at the offensive end for us. But, they are able to play free at that end of the floor because the rest of our team did a great job of spacing and movement without the ball."
Michael Rogers turned in eight points. Austin Lyons provided six points. Larry Johnson put together five points. Jalen Johnson and J.D. Bembry scored three points apiece while Phil Bessick and Jake Gudorf rounded out the Anderson scoring effort with two points. Gudorf also pulled down eight rebounds.
Anderson and Defiance are two of five schools tied for first in the HCAC along with Hanover College (6-2, 2-1), Transylvania University (6-3, 2-1) and Franklin College (6-4, 2-1).
The Ravens battle Olivet College (1-6) on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Olivet, Mich.
