Stallions Fall in Conference Opener to Southwest, Focus Turns to Paul Quinn
Written By Rev. Justin C. Jackson, SID @ North American University
The North American University Stallions opened their conference slate with a challenging matchup against the Southwest team on Thursday night, falling 91-73 in a spirited contest at the Jack & Mabel Student Life Center. Despite the loss, the Stallions showcased resilience and standout performances that offer promise for the rest of the season.
First-Half Struggles Set the Tone
The Stallions faced an uphill battle early, as Southwest's efficient offense and dominance on the boards built a 14-point halftime lead, 40-26. North American struggled to find offensive consistency in the first half, shooting just 35% from the field and 23% from beyond the arc.
Key player Joseph Cormier anchored the Stallions' efforts, pouring in 14 of his 20 points in the first half. Cormier was a force on the glass, grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards, to give North American second-chance opportunities. Sean Fry added 10 first-half points, hitting critical free throws to keep the Stallions within striking distance.
Second Half: A Surge but Not Enough
The Stallions came out of the locker room with renewed energy, led by guard Caleb Malik, who tallied 19 points, hitting 6 of 13 shots, including two timely three-pointers. Malik's scoring burst ignited a run midway through the half, cutting the deficit to single digits. However, Southwest's steady play and rebounding edge proved too much to overcome.
Southwest capitalized on second-chance points, with forward Jacob Koontz leading the charge. Koontz delivered a stellar performance, scoring 25 points and hauling in 11 rebounds. The Stallions couldn't find an answer for Koontz's inside presence, as Southwest out-rebounded North American 46-36 overall, including 17 offensive boards.
Standout Performances
- Joseph Cormier: The sophomore forward was a bright spot for the Stallions, recording a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. His hustle on both ends of the floor kept the Stallions competitive.
- Sean Fry: The senior guard showcased his veteran poise, scoring 17 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Fry also chipped in three rebounds and one assist.
- Caleb Malik: Coming off the bench, Malik provided a spark with his 19 points and four rebounds, demonstrating his scoring versatility.
Team Stats Breakdown
- Field Goal Percentage: North American shot 35.2% (19-of-54) from the field, while Southwest converted 41.1% (30-of-73) of their attempts.
- Three-Point Shooting: The Stallions struggled from deep, hitting just 23.1% (3-of-13), compared to Southwest's 23.8% (5-of-21).
- Free Throws: North American excelled at the charity stripe, making 72.7% (32-of-44), with Cormier and Fry combining for a stellar 16-of-17 performance.
- Rebounding Battle: Southwest's 46 rebounds, including 17 offensive, gave them a decisive edge over North American's 36 total boards.
- Turnovers: The Stallions committed 19 turnovers to Southwest's 16, which translated into points off mistakes for their opponent.
Reserves Contribute Valuable Minutes
The Stallions' bench, led by Malik's 19 points, showed flashes of potential. Guard Jamarric Hammond and forward Eric Wynn added four points apiece while providing critical defensive stops. The reserves combined for 11 rebounds and brought energy during crucial stretches of the game.
Coach's Perspective
"This wasn't the start to conference play we wanted, but there were plenty of positives to take away," said Head Coach B. Doze. "Our team fought hard, and we're learning what it takes to compete at this level. With some adjustments, I'm confident we'll turn things around."
Looking Ahead
The Stallions will hit the court again this Saturday, November 16, as they face Paul Quinn College in their home opener. The team looks forward to playing in front of the Stallion faithful at "The Stable," where the atmosphere will undoubtedly be electric.
Fans, faculty, and students are encouraged to pack the gym and support the team. With plenty of basketball left to play, the Stallions remain determined to make noise in the conference.
Get those four-fingered hooves up, rally the squad, and Gooooooo Stallionsssss!
