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[Men's Basketball] Hines Drops 34 as Science & Arts Advances to SAC Semifinals
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday night, the No. 1 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (25-5, 19-3 SAC) advanced to the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals with a thrilling 110-100 triumph against No. 8 seed Southwestern Christian University (13-14, 10-12 SAC). With the victory, the Drovers have defeated the Eagles 10 times in a row, dating back to Feb. 23, 2019.Early on in the contest, the two teams traded the lead several times, but the Eagles were able to jump out to a 17-8 lead with 13:42 remaining in the opening half. The Drovers stormed back and owned a 47-43 lead going into halftime. In the hard-fought first half, the lead was exchanged nine times, and was tied three times. Following the break, the Drovers offense caught fire and began to score at will. Science & Arts never trailed SCU in the second half, and they outscored the Eagles 63-57 in the final 20 minutes of regulation.The Drovers used their toughness in the paint to earn the quarterfinal victory, outrebounding the Eagles 58-37, and they outscored SCU in the paint 48-42. Additionally, Science & Arts did a fantastic job at getting to the free-throw line, converting on 28-33 (.848) of their free-throw attempts.In total, the Drovers shot 37-80 (.463) from the field and 8-27 (.296) from three-point range, while the Eagles shot 35-74 (.473) from the field, and 12-26 (.462) from deep.In his final game at Drover Fieldhouse, Cameron Hines (SR/Ft. Cobb, OK) delivered yet another legendary performance, fresh off being named the SAC Player of the Year. The three-time All-SAC selection powered the Drovers offense with 34 points, which is a new career high. The sharp-shooter went 10-19 from the field, 4-8 from beyond the arc, and 10-11 at the charity stripe. Additionally, Hines provided five rebounds and four assists. Stephon Hall (SR/Oklahoma City, OK) also proved why he is worthy of his first-team All-SAC recognition, tallying 20 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals. Rory Pantophlet (JR/Philipsburg, Sint Maarten) was dominant in the paint, recording his seventh double-double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Pantophlet was incredibly efficient on offense, shooting 7-10 from the field, which increases his season field goal percentage to 55.6 percent. Gerard Makuntae (SR/Austell, GA) was also a force in the post, collecting his ninth double-double of the season, with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Makuntae also delivered two assists and a trio of steals. The Georgia native has been a consistent two-way player for the Drovers this season, averaging 9.8 points per game, along with 8.4 rebounds and 1.25 blocks per contest.Elvin Rodriguez (SR/New York, NY) and Jaden Causwell (JR/Johns Creek, GA) provided big a spark off the bench with nine points each. Rodriguez added two rebounds and an assist, while Causwell produced six rebounds and three assists.Rudy Pittman (FR/Tulsa, OK) scored five points, while Logan Dolan (FR/Broken Arrow, OK) and Tre'veon Ellis (SR/Oklahoma City, OK) each scored three. Ellis also hauled in six rebounds. WHAT'S NEXT?The No. 1 seed Drovers currently await an opponent for the SAC Tournament Semifinals, which will take place on Monday, February 28 on the campus of Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, Okla. Stay up to date on all Science & Arts Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.comLive-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao/YouTube: Drover AthleticsTwitter: @DroverAthleticsFacebook: @DroverAthleticsInstagram: @drover_athleticsGIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers