[Men's Basketball] Hawks Sink CalPac Conference Leaders, CSU Maritime, 78-67
EL CAJON, CA – The San Diego Christian Hawks are gaining momentum. Going into the Christmas break, Coach Coscby's men are firing on all cylinders and playing inspired team basketball. With each successive game, the Hawks continue to receive consistent play from starters, and huge contributions from the bench. Tonight's 78-67 victory over CalPac leading CSU Maritime put the Hawks' "esprit de corps" on full display and handed the Keelhaulers their second loss all season.
The Hawks set the tone of the game from the opening tip with Gage Shelmidine and Jared Nyivih combining for a 6-0 run. The Keelhaulers showed why they are leading their conference and went on an 8-point run of their own to grab the lead. The Hawks responded though their anchor, Nyivih. As he has done all season, Nyivih, provided stifling defense (5 steals, 2 blocks), crucial rebounding (15) and explosive offense (20 points) to record yet another double-double. The Hawks re-took the lead and built an 8-point cushion before the half.
The second half started with more steady play from the Hawks starters Bryce Parsons and Nyivih. Breakout star of the game, Elijah Jackson, came alive off the bench seemingly scoring at will. He torched the Keelhaulers with multiple 3-pointers and finished the game with a team-high 21 points. Marc Combs, who has been an offensive machine off the bench all season, turned to his defensive prowess (3 steals, 3 rebounds) and incredible offensive vision (4 assists) to play a different, yet equally important role. Chris Dean provided a couple of crucial rebounds at moments when the game could have turned in CSUM's way. San Diego Christian would continue their stifling defense in the second and would never relinquish the lead again.
If not for contributions up and down the lineup, any other night would have seen Nyivih's score-line be the main story of the game. This was truly a team victory, however. Each player that touched the floor made a huge contribution in the moment and manner that the team needed.
Coach Cosby was excited about the Hawks effort post-game, "If you would have told me Marc Combs would be scoreless vs the best team in the Cal Pac, I would have told to you we would lose by 20. Coach Rooney is a good coach, comes from a coaching family and his team is playing some good ball. We really respect the way they can shoot, and #22 (Zavier Lucero) is a walking double-double. We knew we could give ourselves a chance if we rebounded well and could locate their shooters. Our defense was the difference tonight. We made them take tough shots and then we were able to rebound well. Chris Dean gave us several timely rebounds in the first half. Chris and Jared were relentless on the boards."
Cosby was equally excited about the individual efforts of his rock, Jared Nyivih, and super-sub, Elijah Jackson, "This was the second 20-15 game for Jared this week. He had 21-16 vs Grace as well. I can't say enough about Jared, he has been lights out all year and has improved every game. My early Christmas present, however, was Elijah Jackson's 21 points off the bench! He told me before the game he was ready and ready he was!!"
After the Christmas break, the Hawks travel to UC Riverside on Saturday, January 4, to take on the Highlanders. Time TBA.