The College of Eastern Utah mens basketball team hit the road this past weekend for a long and rocky trip on the hardwood floor.
The Eagles began the road trip in sunny St. George where the team battled the Dixie Rebels. The game however was everything but sunny for the Eagles.
The gloomy game ended with CEU losing by the score of 77-52 in the Scenic West Athletic Conference competition.
Turnovers and field goal percentage was the main factor in the Eagles loss. The team finished with 31 turnovers and shot only 36 percent from the field. The Rebels capitalized on the Eagles misfortunes to turn the game into a bright victory.
Eagles forward Terrence Wiggins lead the team in points with 14, while also leading the team in rebounds with nine. Following in scoring was Nick Whiting who finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and one blocked shot.
The Eagles completed the game with only 1-13 three point field goals completed, averaging seven percent from the long distance line against the Rebels. Skyler Wilson sank the only three point shot made in the game by the Eagles, despite his 1-5 completion from the long distance line.
After the devastating loss, the Eagles boarded the bus to travel to Ephraim to face the Snow College Badgers. Here the Eagles hoped to find the sunshine behind the gloomy clouds that covered the court in St. George. Unfortunately, the sky did not clear for CEU.
The Eagles found themselves once again at the losing end of the game board by the score of 80-68. Despite the loss, the Eagles did improve their play from the Dixie game the previous day.
The Eagles lowered the turnover ratio with only 19 made against the Badgers. The three point field goal percentage also improved with the Eagles finishing with 44 percent completed.
Leading scorer for the Eagles was Skyler Wilson who completed the game with 26 points. Wilson also finished with five rebounds, 6-11 three point shots completed, and one assist.
Renaldo Knowles scored 14 points for the Eagles while completing 2-4 three point shots and four steals. Knowles, who has been an outstanding player for the Eagles throughout the season. Currently Knowles is ranked ninth in the SWAC in steals with an average of 1.8 per game, while also being ranked fifth in three point field goals, with an average of 46 percent.
CEU is ranked in several categories in the SWAC including a second place ranking in three point field goal percentage with a 39 percent average. The Eagles are also ranked third in field goal percentages with an average of 49 percent.
Although the Eagles struggled on the road this past weekend, the team is 13-6 for the season.
The Eagles look forward to improving their winning record this weekend at home against two SWAC teams. The Eagles will host the College of Southern Idaho Friday night, and Treasure Valley on Saturday night at the BDAC.
The Eagles anticipate a warm reception at home and plan to put the dark and gloomy losses behind them as they heat up the BDAC floor.
Eagles grounded after two game loss
