While sophomore forward Gary Simkus was scoring at will, the Wabash defense held Philadelphia Biblical University to six baskets in the first half on the way to a 77-35 victory in the consolation game of the CC/Clarion Hotels Thanksgiving Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colorado Saturday evening.
Simkus scored a career-best 17 points, hitting on 6-of-11 shots from the field. The Little Giants poured on the scoring early, jumping out to a 13-point lead in the first seven minutes of the game. Wabash scored first when Jimmy Owens came up with a steal and a breakaway layup and never looked back. The Little Giants pushed their lead to 27 points on back-to-back three's by Simkus late in the period before taking their biggest lead of the half with three minutes left when Simkus added a layup to make it 40-10.
While the offense was taking out its early season frustrations, scoring on 17 of its 36 first-half shot attempts, Wabash held the Crimson Eagles to six baskets in 31 attempts in the first half, and 12 of 55 for the game. The only player for the Crimson Eagles to break into double figures was starting forward Austin McCardle, who finished with 11 points.
Owens, Kyle McClammer, and Andrew Zimmer each added seven points to Simkus' 17-point effort. Seniors Michael Woods and Adonis Joseph each tossed in six points. Senior Kyle Coffey grabbed eight rebounds to pace the Little Giants.
Simkus and Woods both earned spots on the All-Tournament team.
Wabash (2-3) returns to Chadwick Court Wednesday evening for a 7:30 p.m. contest against arch-rival DePauw University.