CHICAGO – Korey Ryan went a perfect 6-for-6 from behind the three-point arc for a game-high 22 points, keying the Roosevelt men's basketball team to a strong 59-percent shooting afternoon and a 77-47 victory over Calumet St. Joseph inside the Goodman Center on Saturday.
Freshman Andre Raiford Jr. posted his first collegiate double-digit scoring effort with 12 points in 12 minutes off the bench while Jake Ludwig added 10 assists to go with nine points for the Lakers (4-1, 2-0 CCAC), who pulled off their first-ever on-court victory over the Crimson Wave (2-4, 1-1 CCAC).
The Lakers jumped out to an early nine-point lead that was eventually trimmed down to one, but Roosevelt proceeded to score the next 12 points during a back-breaking run capped by an alley-oop dunk finished by Raiford following a steal and off-the-backboard pass from Jason Markus.
Roosevelt then closed the first half with seven unanswered points and never saw its lead go under 16 in the second half, ballooning to 32 points by the end.
Ryan's showing symbolized Roosevelt's excellent evening making shots, as the Lakers opened with a 64-percent clip and shot 58 percent from downtown in the final 20 minutes of the contest.
CCSJ struggled putting the ball in the cup thanks to another trademark defensive showing by the Lakers, who held the Crimson Wave under 30 percent from the floor for the game.
"This team has had our number the past few years, so not only was it great to finally beat them, but to win by 30 really made it special," said Roosevelt head coach Joe Griffin. "We have a lot of respect for [CCSJ] Coach [Ryan] Sexson and the way they play, and we had to bring our best game, which we did.
"Holding them to 29 percent shooting is ingredient number one in our recipe for success," Griffin continued. "Mix in hot shooting from us finally and we are now finding out that we can be a dangerous team this year. Seeing Ludwig dish out 10 assists is a tribute to his unselfishness, as most teams key on his scoring. Andre seems to be getting better every game, every week, and our vetarans played solid on both sides of the floor.
"We are excited to go up to Milwaukee to try to remain undefeated in the CCAC."
Roosevelt will tangle with Cardinal Stritch in the Lakers' first regular-season road game this Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. on Panella Court.
