February 28, 2009
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University shot 53 percent from the field and four Rattlers scored in double figures in a 78-62 win over Lincoln University in Heartland Conference men’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at Bill Greehey Arena.
Curtis Mitchell (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis.) led the way for the Rattlers with 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 shooting from the free throw line. Ronald Tata (Sr., Houston) and Marlon Smith (Fr., San Antonio) each added 15 points, while Tata also pulled down six rebounds. Nick Morey (Sr., Belpre, Ohio) had 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
In the game the Rattlers shot 53.2 percent (25-47) from the field and 65.8 percent (25-38) from the free throw line. The Rattlers dominated the boards, outrebounding the Blue Tigers 40-25. St. Mary’s also held Lincoln to just 38.0 percent (19-50) shooting from the field.
Despite allowing four three-pointers and 42 percent shooting in the field to the Blue Tigers in the second half, St. Mary’s was never seriously challenged. The Blue Tigers never pulled to within 10 points and three Lincoln players fouled out in the Rattler win. The Rattlers shot 60.0 percent in the second half and made 12-of-18 free throws to keep the Blue Tigers from getting close.
Lincoln started the game with a 5-0 run over the first 18:40. The Rattlers rallied with a 6-0 run of their own and the teams traded baskets until Smith keyed an 11-0 run with six points as the Rattlers took 26-16 lead with 8:31 left in the half. Tata finished off the half with a short jumper with 30 seconds left to give the Rattlers a 40-25 lead at the break.
With the win the Rattlers finished the regular season with a 17-10 overall record and 12-4 mark in Heartland Conference play. Lincoln finished their season at 5-22, 2-14. St. Mary’s will open play at the Heartland Conference Tournament at the University of the Incarnate Word on Friday against Dallas Baptist University. Game time will be announced this week.