December 19, 2023

WU Earns Win Behind Duff's Double-Double

Video Box Score
By Francisco Claudio
 
Forward John Duff is a double-double machine and recorded yet another as the Westcliff men's basketball team took down Thompson Rivers University 75-55.
 
This was the sixth double-double for Duff in the nine games this season as the Warriors improved to (3-6, Cal Pac 2-2).
 
The score was close through the first five minutes of play with the Warriors holding a marginal lead of two points, 9-7.
 
Then Westcliff went on a 6-0 run and began to take control of the game with their toughness and tenacity.
 
They extended it to double digits after two free throws from Duff with 30 seconds left in the first half. A couple of seconds later Duff sealed the first half with an emphatic dunk after an assist from Justin Boateng to go up 38-26.
 
The Warriors never let up in the second half as they won it 37-29 while shooting 45% from the field.
 
Westcliff shot the ball well from the field 48% which helped stretch to lead to 20 points multiple times throughout the latter stages of the game. 
 
"Credit to the team, they battled hard and were physical," shared head coach Jerred Cook about the opposing team. "For us, it was a challenge to see who would guard and defend multiple actions."
 
But the night was all about the rebounding efforts of the Warriors and the way they were able to dominate.
 
Westcliff grabbed 43 rebounds compared to 25 from TRU. On the offensive end, the Warriors grabbed 14 rebounds which was twice the amount of the opposing team.
 
"We were able to rebound, and that's how we got out in transition, scored easy points, and kept our foot on the gas," Cook said. "I'm excited for this team to learn what it feels like to play with a lead. We played to our strengths."
 
Behind the impressive rebounding was Duff who grabbed 11 to go along with his game-high 18 points.
 
Rayven Turner added nine rebounds and six points.
 
Marius Ntwari grabbed seven rebounds and Boateng had six of his own.
 
"The rebound differential signals the game," Cook said. "We were able to maintain and dominate the glass and hold them to one shot. It helped us get what we wanted on the offensive end and the more rebounds we get on the offensive side, the more shot attempts. 
 
"So we were able to win the categories that actually tailor to winning."

The Warriors have two more non-conference opponents before the end of the year as they will play Pepperdine and UCSD next week.

These will be some of the toughest opponents on their schedule and will give a good idea of where this team stands at the moment.
 
After that, the Warriors will have the tough job of defending their Cal Pac title against their conference opponents as they look to start off the year in the right direction.
 
Stay updated with what the team is up to by following on their Instagram page and the Westcliff athletics website.