[January 12, 2008]

Contact: Houston Taylor

MEMPHIS – Nick Kohs posted 20 points and 15 rebounds in leading Christian Brothers (9-5, 1-0) to a 76-48 win over Southern Arkansas (9-5, 0-1) in the teams’ Gulf South Conference opener Saturday at Canale Arena.

Kohs poured in 16 points, pulled down nine boards, and blocked three shots en route to a 41-20 Buccaneer advantage at the half. The 6-8, 215-pound junior finished the game 8 of 10 from the floor and could have had more, but hit just 4 of 11 free throws. Mulerider sophomore forward Cameron Butler, playing out of position at center, limited Kohs in the second frame to just four points on 2 of 3 shooting, and six rebounds. Butler was SAU’s biggest threat, getting six each of his team-leading 12 points and seven rebounds in the second half.

Southern Arkansas was never really in it as CBU led throughout, jumping out to a 16-4 advantage in the first five minutes of play. Christian Brothers took its largest lead of the opening frame at 31-8 on two free throws from Justin Ray with 6:23 left. The Muleriders finally got in double-digits 20 ticks later on Chris Montgomery’s old-fashioned three with a lay-up and free throw.

A 15-point deficit was as close as SAU could draw in the second half when they trailed 50-35 at 13:53. The Bucs eventually led by 30 with 16 seconds left before David Noble’s jumper provided the final margin.

SAU’s off-night shooting compounded problems as they hit just 9 of 30 for 30 percent in the first half and 9 of 28 (32.1) in the second to finish 18 of 58 (31.0) for the game. Three-point shooting, which had been key in recent games, was almost non-existent as they misfired on all eight attempts in the first frame and finished 3 of 20 (15.0) on the night. They were 9 of 16 (56.3) at the free throw line.

Kohs had plenty of help from Ray, who scored 18 and grabbed five rebounds himself, and Kevin Weybright added 14 points. All had a strong first half as Christian Brothers canned 14 of 22 (63.6) from the floor, including 5 of 6 (83.3) from downtown. They also blocked seven Southern Arkansas shots during the half. The Buccaneers finished 27 of 55 (49.1) for the game, 9 of 22 (40.9) on treys, and 13 of 21 (61.9) at the stripe.

Butler was the only Mulerider scorer in double figures. Justin Stuart contributed seven points, while Montgomery pulled down six rebounds.

CBU, ranked as high as 17th earlier in the season, got their third straight win with the victory.

SAU’s schedule forced them to open GSC play with their first two league games on the road, which makes Thursday’s contest against Henderson State even bigger. Tip-off from Arkadelphia is slated for 8 p.m.