After having watched its season end in this round of the state tournament the last two years, the varsity basketball team was determined this year to make their trip longer. On Thursday afternoon at David Lipscomb University in Nashville, they accomplished that goal.
MUS placed three Owls in double figures in scoring and held their first-round opponent, Pope John Paul II, to just under 30% from the field as they won going away, 53-37, to claim a spot in the semifinals.
With Coaches Matt Bakke and Mark Counce taking over for Coach Jerry Peters, who remained in Memphis because of health-related issues, the Owls jumped out quickly on the small-but-scrappy Knights as they led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
But PJPII held MUS to only two field goals in the second quarter as the Knights got back into the game, trailing only 23-22 at the break.
The Owls came out in the second half hoping to regain some of their first-quarter momentum, but the game slowed significantly as the teams totalled 29 fouls in the second half. Fortunately for MUS, they got their share of free throws in the second half, hitting 12-20 to extend their lead.
Looking to increase their 7-point fourth-quarter advantage, MUS used a variety of presses and half-court zone defenses to stymie and frustrate the Knights, who never could get an offensive flow. PJPII ended the game connecting on only 6 two-point field goals and missing 9 free throws as the Owls won easily.
Ferrakohn Hall led MUS with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Elliott Cole added 14 points, while reserve Robert Counce hit all three of his shots to contribute 10 points.
Though the Owls turned the ball over 17 times, they also forced 18 turnovers and hit enough shots to claim their first Division II state-tournament win.
In the semifinals, MUS (23-9) will take on McCallie, a 53-35 winner over Ensworth. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Allen Arena in Nashville tomorrow evening, March 2.