SSU men score highest point total since Oct. 2019, put six in double-figures in 109-73 victory over Simmons (Ky.)

Scoring balance, and keeping the ball moving, will always be key components to any victory.

The Shawnee State men's basketball program certainly accomplished both objectives in grand fashion Saturday afternoon as the Bears closed the book on its home slate of contests of 2023 by scoring 109 points -- its highest scoring total as a team since 2019 -- and placing six individuals in double-figures in its 36-point, 109-73 triumph over Simmons (Ky.) at Waller Gymnasium.

By the numbers

In notching its highest point total since collecting a 139-75 victory over Wright State-Lake on Oct. 30, 2019, Shawnee State notched 22 assists on 38 made baskets Saturday en route to shooting 58.5 percent (38-for-65) from the field and 50 percent (10-for-20) from three-point range.

The Bears also turned the basketball over just five times and took advantage of its free throw opportunities, going 23-for-26 (88.5 percent) from the charity stripe to obtain its highest accuracy mark from the free throw line through 11 games so far this season. Shawnee State's field goal percentage in Saturday's contest was the second-highest that the Bears accumulated this season, just behind last Saturday's victory against Ohio Christian where the Bears shot 58.8 percent from distance, and Shawnee State's 50 percent clip from deep matched the second-highest three-point field goal percentage output for the season.

All 12 players who participated in the contest for SSU scored in the victory.

Harris keeps humming along

In another sharp display, Shawnee State sophomore wing Chaze Harris was exceptional yet again for the Bears.

One week after posting a 33-point, eight-rebound, six-assist, three-steal effort in the Bears' 81-65 victory over Ohio Christian, Harris proved to be on his game yet again with a 20-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist, four-steal and three-block statline that allowed the 6-5 wing to lead the Bears in all five categories and served as game-highs across the board as well.

Harris ultimately posted 13 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals in the opening half alone for the Bears, who jumped out to a 49-15 edge behind the former Bedford High School and Lakeland Community College product's output as he scored or assisted on 26 of Shawnee State's opening 49 tallies.

In his first two games for the Bears, Harris is averaging 26.5 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, 3.5 steals and 1.5 blocks on 82.6 percent shooting from the field.

Germain, Ramirez add in efficient shooting

Continuing to showcase their bucket-getting abilities, Keith Germain and Elkin Ramirez were both strong through Saturday's contest against Simmons.

Ramirez, who went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, knocked down each of his three attempts from three-point range to finish with 13 points, while Germain, who came off of the bench in Saturday's victory, supplied 13 points in the second half en route to finishing with 16 points and six rebounds on 7-for-8 shooting.

Germain's averages now sit at 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 58.5 percent shooting, while Ramirez raised his marks to 7.7 points on 46.2 percent shooting and 43.5 percent shooting from three-point range.

Hubbert, Johnson, Dawson add own punch

By matching Harris with a team-high 13 points in the opening half of competition, Shawnee State junior Tyreke Johnson was able to finish with 18 points for the contest. The Woodstock, Ga. product scored seven consecutive Shawnee State points from the five-minute mark to the 3:20 mark of the first half to ultimately help the Bears keep a firm lead, 60-28, at the halftime break, and added in three of his four assists in the second frame of action to help set the table.

Shawnee State senior guard John Dawson, meanwhile, added in a microwave effect by scoring eight of his 10 points in the first half while going a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor in the first half of competition. Dawson ultimately finished with his 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting in the affair.

In the second half of competition, EJ Hubbert showcased his own slashing ability. The Tampa, Fla. native, who led the Bears by going 7-for-7 from the free throw line and combined with Johnson to notch a perfect 12-for-12 outing from the charity stripe, scored eight of his 13 points in the second half and finished with three rebounds and three assists to boot.

Additional

Tony Webb, Jr. and Landon Ray each added a nice change of pace for the Bears with Webb, Jr. supplying six points and five rebounds and Ray knocking down two of his four three-point attempts to nab six points himself.

AJ Belton, Damon Charles, Feisal Crumby, Jr. and J.R. Lumsden combined for the remaining seven tallies for the Bears (7-4).

Shawnee State will be back in action for one final road contest to close out the calendar year when the Bears make the trip to Mount Vernon to play in-state NAIA foe Mount Vernon Nazarene (11-1) in a big nonconference matchup. The contest will take place against the Cougars Saturday, Dec. 30.

For more information on SSU Bears Athletics, visit www.ssubears.com or visit the Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages at https://twitter.com/ SSUBears, https://www. facebook.com/SSUBears, https:/ /www.instagram.com/ssubears/? hl=en, and https://www. youtube.com/@ ssubearsathletics/videos. For more information on how to join the SSU Bear Club or for sponsorship of specific SSU players or events, visit https://givetossu.com/ bear-club and https:// givetossu.com/sponsorthebears.