Spurgeon College men's basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 campaign with an impressive 113-103 victory over Central Christian on November 1, 2024, in Kansas City, MO. The Knights demonstrated their offensive firepower and depth in a high-scoring season opener.
Game Flow
The Knights established control early, taking a 54-46 lead into halftime and maintaining their advantage throughout the second half. Their consistent offensive output was evident in both periods, with 54 first-half points followed by 59 in the second half.
Standout Performances
Multiple Knights contributed to the victory with strong individual performances:
- Michael Berry: Led all scorers with 24 points on efficient 9-of-19 shooting, including 2 three-pointers
- Jack Chamberlin: Dominated inside with 23 points and 16 rebounds (11 defensive)
- Raven Ortiz: Filled the stat sheet with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists
- Zion Bourgeois: Provided crucial bench scoring with 15 points
- Drew Middleton: Added 8 points and 5 assists
- Joseph Allen: Contributed 14 points off the bench
Key Statistics
The Knights showed their strength in several statistical categories:
- Shooting: 40-of-98 from the field (40.8%)
- Free Throws: Strong showing at the line, hitting 30-of-42 (71.4%)
- Rebounding: Dominated the glass with 63 total rebounds, including 29 offensive boards
- Ball Movement: 41 assists on 40 made field goals
- Bench Production: 39 points from non-starters
Team Efficiency
The Knights showed improvement as the game progressed:
- First Half: 37.0% field goal percentage
- Second Half: Improved to 45.5% shooting
- Strong free throw shooting in second half (80%)
Notable Numbers
- Points in the Paint: 72
- Second Chance Points: 28
- Fast Break Points: 18
- Points off Turnovers: 28
- Team Assists: 41
Looking Ahead
This season-opening victory sets a positive tone for the Knights' 2024-25 campaign, showcasing:
- Balanced scoring attack
- Strong rebounding presence
- Unselfish play with excellent ball movement
- Productive bench contributions
Fan Support
The Knights gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about in their season debut, delivering an exciting, high-scoring performance to start the new season. Stay tuned for upcoming home games as Spurgeon College looks to build on this impressive opening victory.
