Mesa runs away with win with 50-point 2nd half

A close game at halftime turned into a runaway win for Coach Ballard and the T'Birds as they hold off the Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters and Coach Maurice Leitzke, 81-60 on Saturday night, January 7 at Theo Heap Gym.

Balanced scoring, domination on the boards, and solid guard play put Mesa over the top in this one.

Four players notched double-figures for Mesa.  The T'Birds are now 12-4 overall and in 1st place in the ACCAC at 6-1. 

The team shot 46% from the floor (27 of 59) and a remarkable 84% from the charity stripe (27 of 32). 

Thankfully, the three-point basket was not needed in this one as that is the lone blemish on the stat sheet for the Thunderbirds on this night (0 for 7). 

Christian Griggs-Williams led Mesa in scoring 14 on six of 12 from the field.  Griggs-Williams also snagged eight rebounds in over 32 minutes on the floor.

Asaad Woods came up with a timely steal midway through the second half and fed Travis Timmons for a slam that ignited the crowd and sent Mesa on their way to victory.  Woods would hit for 13 on the night on five of 10 from the floor, and also grab eight rebounds. 

Mesa dominated on the boards, 54-37. 

The aforementioned Timmons hit for 11 on four of nine from the field, snatched eight rebounds, tallied three dimes, a block, and a steal.

Brendan Pineda-Morales also scored 11 on the night on three of four shooting. 

Tylor Wimbish chipped in with eight points and nine boards, while Khalfuni Marks did the same with eight points and six rips.

All tolled, a complete team victory for a very hot basketball team.

Leading the way for the Gila Monsters was AJ Adams, Jr. with 17 points on five of nine from the floor. 

Devon Wallace also hit for 17 for the Monsters but shot just three of 14 on the night. 

Mesa now welcomes another DI powerhouse to the friendly confines.  The Cochise Apaches invade Theo Heap Gym Wednesday night, January 11 at 7:30 pm. 

Don't miss it.