WALLA WALLA, Wash. – University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball defeated Whitman College 90-75 on Thursday evening. With this win, the Cru's record improves to 3-3 on the season, while the Blues fall to 3-3.
Connor Zamiara opened the matchup with a tip-in layup just seconds in. Hudson Johnson and Zach Engels followed with back-to-back three-pointers to put the Cru ahead 8-0. The Blues got one on the board with a free throw, but Grant Jessen extended UMHB's lead 10-1. Whitman responded with 13:10 left in the first half, knotting the game at 17. The match was tied again at 19 and 22, but the Blues pushed ahead with 10 minutes left, making it a 26-22 game. After going down 37-30, the Cru pushed back, with Johnson scoring the equalizing layup to knot it back up at 37. The Blues closed the half with a free throw, going into halftime leading the Cru 40-37.
Hudson Johnson was the leading scorer in the first half, adding 12 points along with three steals. Connor Zamiara led in rebounds tallying three, with three other Crusaders adding two each.
Zach Engels and Zach May opened scoring for UMHB in the second frame with consecutive driving layups. Elijah Lawrence followed shortly after with two free throws to make it a 46-46 game with 17:51 remaining. The Cru took a 51-50 lead at 15:21 on a May three-pointer. UMHB continued with a 12-point streak, moving the score to 60-50 with 12:21 left. UMHB held the lead for the remainder of the match, cruising to a 90-75 win sealed by a Trey Seigle three-pointer.
Zach Engels was the leading Crusader in points, tallying 19, along with six rebounds. Hudson Johnson followed closely with 18 points and four rebounds. Grant Jessen also totaled 13 points with four boards.
UMHB returns to action in Washington on Saturday, December 6th in a 4:00pm (PT) contest against Whitworth University.
