The SMWC men's basketball team delivered first-year coach Jesse McClung his first home victory Tuesday as the Pomeroys shot 55 percent on their way to a 109-55 victory against the University of Health Science and Pharmacy in their 2023-24 home opener.
The Pomeroys (3-2) put five players in double figures with seniors Chaz Birchfield and Cobie Barnes leading the way with 18 points apiece.
Lincoln Hale reached double figures early in the second half and finished with 12 points in 14 minutes. Anthony Scales had a season-high 14 and Malik Tansmore added a season-high 11.
Birchfield finished 9 of 11 from the field and scored six of the Pomeroys first 17 points, sparking the Pomeroys to a double-digit lead, 17-6, at the 13:41 mark in the first half.
Four minutes later, SMWC led 26-8 with four more points from Birchfield and five from Hale, including a 3-pointer.
"It feels as if we're starting to mold together and do what we're supposed to be doing. Coach has faith in all players 1 through 16, and when anybody's number is called, you know what time it is. We just have full faith in the coaching staff and the players," Birchfield said.
 
SHARING THE BALL
McClung could be seen praising his team's ball movement at different moments throughout Tuesday's game.
The Pomeroys were spreading the floor and moving the ball as well as they have so far this season. SMWC finished with 32 assists and just four turnovers. Greg Johnson and Greg Jenkins had six assists apiece, and Barnes, Hale and Andre Irvin Jr. added four apiece.
 
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
SMWC held UHSP to 28 percent shooting in the first half and 38 percent overall, while forcing 21 turnovers.
DaMeriz Merriweather paced the Pomeroys with three steals, while 6-foot-9 freshman Shon Tupuola continued his excellent play in the paint with seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
 
CONTRIBUTIONS UP AND DOWN THE ROSTER
Twelve Pomeroys got in the scoring column, with Terre Haute's Braden Edington adding five and Marshall, Ill., native Jesse Burdick added four.
Edington made a steal and then hit a corner 3-pointer that put the Pomeroys over the century mark for the first time this season with 2:42 to go.
 
UP NEXT
SMWC visits Goshen College on Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Pomeroys were without starting guard Tarik Dixon, who is nursing an ankle injury but said he hopes to return to action soon.