Posted: Jan 01, 2013
Senior Jordan Thacker had a career day on Tuesday, posting a career-high 21 points, 17 of which he had in the second half. Thacker also notched highs in steals (4), blocks (2), and field goals made (7). He also tied career-highs in assists (5) and rebounds (5).
Both teams played a tight first half in the contest, with Roanoke getting the early advantage, going up 5-0 in the first minute. Peace worked to get ahead, taking a 10-9 lead with 16:08 to play. It was Kwasi Amponsah who built Roanoke's lead back to five, 28-23, as he hit four baskets in a two-minute period that ended with 6:30 to play. The Maroons built their largest lead of the half in the final minute, with Daniel Eacho hitting a layup to take the 38-29 advantage.
Amponsah led the Maroons with 12 points at the end of the first half, shooting a perfect 5-5 from the field. Just behind Amponsah was Daniel Eacho with 10 points and three rebounds. The Pacers' Antonio Hinnant led Peace with 11 points, while Gaven Allen tallied seven rebounds. The Maroons outshot the Pacers 65.4 to 36.1 percent in the first period.
Jordan Thacker helped blow the game wide open for the Maroons, extending the team's lead to 17 by the 13:53 mark in the contest, scoring 13 points in the first six minutes. Thacker opened the half with back-to-back three pointers. At 14:23, on consecutive possessions, Thacker turned steals into easy layups to increase Roanoke's advantage.
With 9:00 to play, the Maroons extended their lead to 25 after a three-pointer from Julian Ramirez. That advantage was enough to keep Peace at bay, as the Maroons were victorious 96-76.
Thacker led the team in scoring with 21 points, while Eacho finished with 16. Ramirez finished the contest with 15, and Amponsah posted 12. Clay Lacy pulled down nine rebounds on the afternoon, tying his career-high mark. Thackers marks in steals and assists led all players.
The Pacers' Hinnant finished the contest with a game high 24 points. Allen posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Roanoke outshot Peace 58.6 to 39.7 percent from the field and held the advantage on the free throw line 75 to 30 percent. The Pacers outrebounded the Maroons 44-42, but Roanoke had six blocks to Peace's one.
The Maroons return to action on Wednesday, January 2nd as they face off against St. Mary's in the championship game of the Morris Cregger Invitational. That game is scheduled for a 3:00 PM tip-off.
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