University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Spring Hill
Men's Hoops Runs Over Spring Hill, 94-41
11/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2010
Box Score | Box Score in PDF Format 
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss men's basketball team started off hot and never took its foot off the gas pedal, as it dominated Spring Hill, 94-41, Saturday night at Reed Green Coliseum.
With the victory, the Golden Eagles improve to 4-0. The 53-point margin is the fifth largest in school history.
Senior Josimar Ayarza led Southern Miss with a career-high 18 points and eight rebounds. Freshman D.J. Newbill recorded his second consecutive double-double, scoring a season-high 15 points and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Senior Gary Flowers scored 14 points, pulled down five rebounds and had a career-high six assists, while junior Maurice Bolden came off the bench to score 12 points.
"What we have not been able to do since I've been here is have a comfortable lead at halftime against a non-Division I school," said head coach Larry Eustachy. I've said that good teams double the score, and we did that for the first time since I remember. I was pleased with our guys. They kept playing. It really helps when you put in a whole new five (players) out there, and they are anxious to play. We're still getting a feel for these guys and where they fit in. But overall, I'm really pleased."
The Badgers scored the first basket of the game, but the Eagles scored the next eight points. After another SHC bucket, Southern Miss went on a 10-0 run to lead 18-4 just 5:10 into the game. USM led by as many as 26 in the first half, taking a 44-21 advantage into the break.
Southern Miss opened the second half on a 9-0 run. Spring Hill would get no closer than 25 points in the half, as the Black and Gold led by as many as 54.
Spring Hill was led by Brandon Blake with a game-high 22 points, and Kyle Watkins added 10 points.
Southern Miss shot 46.8-percent (36-of-77) for the game, while holding the Badgers to 29.6-percent (16-of-54). The Golden Eagles have held their last three opponents to under 30-percent shooting. The Black and Gold also won the rebounding battle, 57-28. It is the third straight game they have eclipsed 50 boards. USM also had 28 assists, the sixth-most in school history.
The Golden Eagles end their four-game homestand this Wednesday, Dec. 1, when it hosts in-state rival Alcorn State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
