SALT LAKE CITY – The Westminster men's basketball team opened the new season by cruising to a 102-61 win over California Miramar on Thursday night in the Behnken Field House.
 
Westminster scored the first five points of the game and had the lead to 14-2 just over four minutes into the action. The Griffins had four runs of at least nine straight points during an evening that they scored the eighth-most points in a game in team history.
 
"We did what we were supposed to do tonight," Westminster head coach Norm Parrish said after the win. "I thought the kids stayed focused and we got what we wanted. The guys were really into the game and we took good shots."
 
The Griffins shot 52.8 percent from the floor – including 64.5 percent in the first half – and they hit 12 of 24 from beyond the arc. They scored 40 points in the paint and scored 16 points from 14 offensive rebounds. The team distributed 20 assists with only nine turnovers.
 
Dayon Goodman scored 12 of his game-high 24 points during a six-minute stretch in the first half. He started and ended the burst with two of his three dunks. Goodman made 7 of 11 shots, including three from deep and grabbed six rebounds.
 
Zerrion Payton added 14 points, eight assists and five rebounds for the Griffins. Travis Devashrayee had 11 points off the bench.
 
The Griffins 51-33 edge on the boards was anchored by seven rebounds apiece from Marcus Bryce and Mason Smith. Casey Evans had six assists and Sam Orchard recorded five steals.
 
"Everybody got in and did what we wanted them to do tonight," Parrish added.
 
Westminster held Cal Miramar (0-3) to 36.9 percent shooting and forced 13 turnovers.
 
The Fighting Falcons had three players score in double figures and they were led by 14 from Sondale Conner.
 
The Griffins will return to action on Friday when they host Eastern Oregon at 7 p.m. in an exhibition game for the Griffins. Cal Miramar will play Bristol at 5 p.m. Tickets for both games are available at WestminsterGriffins.com/tickets.