Box Score BOX SCORE
SALT LAKE CITY – The Westminster men's basketball team shot 57.7% from the floor and defeated St. Thomas (Fla.) 82-67 on Friday night in the Behnken Field House. The ninth-ranked Griffins (5-4) used a 65.4% shooting first half to carry a 45-28 advantage into the intermission. Westminster scored 44 points in the paint while holding St. Thomas (2-3) to just 20.
Westminster used a 22-5 run early in the first half to build a 24-7 lead. That was followed three minutes later with a 12-0 run that pushed the Griffins lead to a game-high 23 with 5:27 left in the opening half. The game was fairly even over the next 10 minutes before STU went on a 12-3 run to get back to 13 with 14 minutes to play. That was as close as it would get however, and with 3:52 remaining Westminster held a comfortable 75-53 advantage.
“This is a good win for us,” head coach Tommy Connor noted. “We did not execute well for large stretches and that is a credit to them and how they played.”
The Griffins forced 18 turnovers in the game which turned into 27 points and 13 fast break points. Westminster controlled the glass to a 34-28 advantage, including nine offensive rebounds that resulted in 10 points.
“I think we did a lot of good things tonight,” Connor commented. “We also had periods where we weren't very good, but that is why we are playing this, to get things worked out during the preseason.”
Blair Prowse led the Griffins with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He scored six points during the first half run, capped with a dunk in which he was fouled on a fast break. He then hit back-to-back threes to start the second half to keep the Griffins momentum.
Ben Walker was huge inside scoring 17 points and blocking two shots.
Weston Anderson dished out a season-high eight assists and grabbed five rebounds.
Tanner Gregory chipped in 10 points off the bench.
“It's a good thing Blair started quick in the second half to give us that lead,” Connor said. “Wes should lead us in assists most nights.”
Antonio Jones led St. Thomas with 22 points. He made three shots from beyond the arc and was 7-of-10 at the foul line. Ian Gregory added 11 points and five rebounds.
Westminster and St. Thomas will battle again on Saturday, December 5 at 6 p.m. in the Behnken Field House.
