DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle men's basketball team started the 2016-17 season off with a bang on Friday night, blitzing NAIA II Ave Maria, 106-58 in the ICI Center. The Eagles (1-0) scored the most points in a season opener since they scored 119 against College of the Bahamas in 2007, while the Gyrenes (1-2) had no answer for the potent ERAU offense, led by true freshman
Shaquan McArthur's 25 points, the most scored in a freshman's first game in program history. The previous high came from
Dalton Barnes in 2013 when he scored 21 against Florida College.
Embry-Riddle, who improved to 25-4 all-time in season openers, including 13 straight, also got it done on the defensive end, tying a program record with 16 blocks on the night, paced by
David Adeyemo's six deniers. ERAU held the Gyrenes to just 28 percent from the field and only 14 percent from deep, turning an 11-10 lead with 12:44 left in the first half into a 53-19 cushion at the break.
The Eagles' first points of the season came on a
Skyler Hogan jumper in the paint, and despite going just 2-for-10 to start the game, ended the first half on a 42-9 run, upping their shooting percentage to 50 percent in the opening period. The spark came on McArthur's first trey of the night at the 10:47 mark, followed by two more threes from Hogan and
Dillon Graham and the Eagles never looked back, getting 12 points from Hogan and 11 from McArthur in the first half.
The second half started with both teams trading triples, but a 12-3 Eagle run ended any hope of a comeback from Ave Maria as the rest of the night belonged to the hosts.
All 11 Eagles that dressed played and scored, led by McArthur's 25 points. Five more players scored in double-figures for ERAU, including a career-high 11 points from
Brian Johnson in his first career start, while Graham (12), Hogan (12), Barnes (11) and
Cole Hunter (10) joined him. McArthur finished the night 11-for-16 from the floor, including 3-for-3 from long range.
Rob Mbenoun came off the bench to score seven points in his collegiate debut, including the emphatic slam at the end of the contest to account for the 106-58 final.
Embry-Riddle owned the rebounding battle, 56-39, with Barnes and
Bradley Mapes each grabbing nine boards. Graham led the way with six assists, with Hogan adding five and Barnes and McArthur chipping in four helpers each.
Head Coach
Steve Ridder tied Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Ralph Miller with his 657th career victory (62nd all-time) as ERAU improved to 14-1 against the Gyrenes.
The Eagles don't waste anytime getting back on the court as they play host to Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, tomorrow, November 12 for a 7 p.m. tip in the ICI Center.
Game Photos
