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Rocky Mountain College Athletics

Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears

Events and Results

Events and Results

Nesbit vs Embry-Riddle '24
Brandon Stinson
92
Winner Rocky Mountain (MT) BEARS 9-2, 0-0
72
Embry-Riddle (AZ) EAGLES 4-6, 0-0
Winner
Rocky Mountain (MT) BEARS
9-2, 0-0
92
Final
72
Embry-Riddle (AZ) EAGLES
4-6, 0-0
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Rocky Mountain (MT) BEARS 39 53 92
Embry-Riddle (AZ) EAGLES 35 37 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Brandon Stinson | Sports Information & Media Coordinator

Rocky Men’s Basketball Snags Third Straight Cactus Classic Victory; Defeating Embry-Riddle (AZ) 92-72

CHANDLER, Ariz.- Those watching may not have guessed it was Rocky's third game in three days, as a fast-paced, high-scoring second half propelled the Battlin' Bears to a tournament sweep after defeating Embry-Riddle 92-72.

After shooting a season-low 35.8% from the field in their win on Sunday against Park-Gilbert, Rocky shot a season-high 63.6% from the field to cruise past Embry-Riddle on Monday, earning their third consecutive victory and a tournament sweep in the 2024 Cactus Classic. It's the first time Rocky has won all three of their Cactus Classic games since 2016. 

How it Happened
Rocky's offense was humming to start in the first half, shooting 57.7% from the field going into the halftime break. Jaylon Lee continued to lead the charge, making four of his five field goal attempts for 13 points going into the halftime break. While Embry-Riddle shot only 37% from the field, the Eagles pulled down 11 offensive rebounds that led to extra possessions, keeping their deficit at four going into the break. 

While it seemed like the Battlin' Bears were hot from the floor in the first half, they dominated from the field in the second half, making 20-of-29 from the field, propelling Rocky to a 53-point second half and eventually a twenty-point win in Arizona. The win marks the second-largest margin of victory this season and the largest margin against an NAIA program this season. 

Notable Statistics
Jaylon Lee was the game's leading scorer, finishing the game with 23 points and 16 rebounds, his sixth consecutive double-double. Omari Nesbit was also electric in the victory, scoring 21 points on nine-of-ten shooting from the field and three-of-three from three-point range. Nesbit made all eight shot attempts in the second half and added five rebounds and three assists. Royce Robinson was also efficient in the win, scoring 15 points on seven-of-eight shooting from the field, while Carter McCoy added 12 points. 

After falling behind in the rebounding category in the first half, Rocky won the battle on the boards 36-29. 

Embry-Riddle (AZ) was led by 15 points from Peter Dress in the defeat.  

Up Next
The Battlin' Bears (9-2) will take a holiday break before wrapping up their non-conference schedule by hosting the Green and Gold Classic in the Fortin Education Center on Saturday, December 28th, and Sunday, December 29th, in which they will take on Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Dickinson State University. 
 
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