Angelina College’s Roadrunners weren’t going to outreach a Western Texas College front line averaging 6’10” across the lane.
So the ‘Runners simply shot over the Westerners.
AC connected on 17 three pointers – hitting 57 percent from behind the arc – and cruised to a 100-73 win to take home the trophy in Saturday’s final day of the Lufkin Coca Cola Thanksgiving Classic at Shands Gymnasium.
AC converted five treys in the game’s first five minutes to take a 17-15 lead, then used the long ball as part of an 18-5 run to take the lead for good in downing the bigger Westerners.
Kevin Norman earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award after scoring 22 points in each of the two games played on Friday and Saturday. Norman hit three of the team’s threes on Saturday, and Deedy Gauno hit six from long distance on his way to a 24-point effort. Hunter Janacek hit four threes and Yosani Clay another three in the win. Guard Chris Simmons handed out 10 assists.
Western’s Sindou Diallo led his team with 14 points.
Saturday’s win also capped a four-game winning streak for the Roadrunners, who at 5-4 are above .500 for the first time this season.
AC will open conference play Wednesday at Kilgore College. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu