In the season opener for both teams, Hamilton Southeastern got a double-double from Cleveland State signee Mabor Majak and a great defensive effort to defeat Muncie Central 70-46.

 

A quick burst gave Hamilton Southeastern a double digit lead just minutes into the game, and that lead would never return below the ten point mark. Muncie Central struggled from the field to start, shooting just 1 of 18 from the field in the first period.

 

Victor Young shrugged off a slow start to score 10 of his team-high 18 points in the second quarter as Muncie Central whittled the HSE lead to ten at half.

 

The 7’ Majak scored eight quick points to begin the third quarter as the Bearcats’ undersized frontline simply had no answer once Majak got the ball. The issue for HSE was getting the ball to him, as Muncie Central would turn up the defensive pressure and forces the Royals into some sloppy turnovers.

 

Young would get a breather to start the fourth for Muncie Central, and that allowed HSE to stretch a 14 point lead to 21 and effectively squash any comeback that the Bearcats had in mind.

 

Kole Hornbuckle added 15 points and seven rebounds for HSE, while senior forward DeAndre Rhodes joined him in double figures with 10.

 

Junior forward Ben Watkins was a bright spot and poured in 13 points on a variety of jumpers for Muncie Central.

 

 

Muncie Central                 4  16  18    8  -  46

Hamilton Southeastern  16  14  22  18  -  70

 

Muncie Central: Victor Young 18 points (7/25 FGs, 1/9 3Ps, 3/6 FTs), 8 rebs, 4 stls; Ben Watkins 13 points (6/10 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 6 rebs; Kelton Balfour 6 points; Dylan Stafford 5 points (2/9 FGs, 1/7 3Ps), 4 rebs; KJ Jackson 2 points (1/6 FGs), 4 rebs; Jaylen Long 2 points

 

HSE: Mabor Majak 16 points (8/9 FGs), 11 rebs; Kole Hornbuckle 15 points (6/11 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 2/4 FTs), 7 rebs; DeAndre Rhodes 10 points; Alex Totton 8 points; Vinny Buccilla 7 points (3/9 FGs, 1/5 3Ps); Elliott Robinson 5 points; John McCall 4 points; Sam Jacobs 3 points; Dalton Retzner 2 points