OWENSBORO, Ky. -- The Parkside men's basketball team opened their 2023-24 season at the Midwest Crossover on Friday evening against No. 5 UIndy. The Rangers were able to outlast the Greyhounds in a 79-71.
"Very proud of our team's effort tonight. We battled for 40 minutes against an outstanding Indy team," said head coach
Luke Reigel following the win. "I thought we did a very good job on the glass and also versus their pressure. Overall, just a very good way to start the season"
Inside the Box Score
- Redshirt junior Josiah Palmer scored a career high 26 points in the effort going 8-11 from the floor and 5-7 from deep. Palmer also dished out 8 assits to best his previous career high of 6.
- Freshman Rokas Castillo came off the bench for the Rangers and added 13 points in his collegiate debut.
- The Rangers were able to shoot the ball at a high clip, posting a 54.2% field goal percentage and nailed 11 three point attempts.
- Parkside pulled down 33 rebounds to UIndy's 23.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams battled for the first half of the first period of play. Both teams traded buckets early in the game until the 10:30 mark of the first period. Two Ranger turnovers and a missed three pointer would be converted into points for the Greyhounds, as they built a 7-0 run to push the score to 15-19 in favor of the Hounds. A handful of buckets by the Rangers, including a pull up jumper in the corner by
Nick Brown, would pull the Rangers closer at 22-21 with 9 minutes left.
The Rangers would continue to roll and string together two more jumpers to take the lead. A
Sam DeVault dunk would extend the Rangers lead by three with an exclamation point.
The Rangers would add to their lead and head into the half on top of the Hounds 36-31.
The Greyhounds would come out the second half firing, going on a 9-0 and retake the lead 40-36. The Rangers battled back with a 13-2 run of their own, capped off by a
Nick Brown converted and one to retake the lead from Greyhounds at 49-42 at the 14 minute mark of the second half.
The Rangers would be in control for the rest of the game despite the Greyhounds efforts to mount a comeback. The Rangers were able to convert at the line when needed and held off the Greyhounds for the 79-71 win over the No. 5 Division II team in the nation.
The Rangers will return to the hardwood again tomorrow against the Praire Stars of Illinois Springfield. Tipoff from Owensboro is set for 4:45 CST. Coverage can be found at
parksiderangers.com/coverage.
