Bevill State head coach Paul Johnson wanted his guys to open up conference play right, and his request was answered as the Bears took care of Marion Military Institute 92-54 Monday night.
?Opening conference play with a win is something you always want,? Johnson said. ?We need all the momentum we can get as we are heading into a tough conference schedule, and this win will just help build the confidence we need down the road.?
The always tough DeAndre Coleman had a big night with 15 points and nine rebounds in the win. Keith Fisher also continued to play well, adding 14 points and a team-high five assists.
Point Guard Antonio Benjamin had a solid all-around game statistically with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal. Robbie Cross had a stellar game against MMI, lighting it up from behind the arc, going 4-of-5 for 12 points.
Quinton Smith added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
All of the Bears saw action in the big win against the Tigers. Bevill State held a 50-32 lead at halftime.
Bevill State warmed up for Marion Military with a road win in their final pre-conference game over Motlow State, beating the Bucks the second time this season, 64-56.
Bevill State was led by the hot hand of Cross, who went 5-of-8 from the three point line, and shot 6-of-10 from the field to lead the team in scoring with a season-high 18 points.
Coleman finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Tom Jervis added 10 points, six rebounds and five blocks.
Bevill State will have its hands full Thursday night as they travel to Hanceville to take on Wallace State, ranked fifth in the latest NJCAA poll with a 14-0 record. The Bears will return home on Monday, January 22, to take on Northwest Shoals at 7:30 p.m.
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Lauren Beason