Westminster off to fast start
November 25, 2005
Deseret Morning News
By Tim Peterson
Griffins, ranked 17th in NAIA polls, hope to keep momentum
SUGAR HOUSE - Head coach Tommy Connor is already hard at work this season.
The former Ute is entering his seventh year as head coach at Westminster College. So far, so good for the Griffins.
They're fresh from a 2-0 road trip and ranked 17th in NAIA polls. This week the men's team can take a well-deserved rest after playing four straight road games. Connor's club went a respectable 3-1, losing only to Point Loma Nazarene 77-75. Led by senior guard Jared Ruiz (Taylorsville High School) and 5-foot-10 sophomore point guard Danny Reeder (Alta High School). The tandem has been very effective at running Connor's fast-paced offense.
At the Golden Rule Shoot-Out in Idaho, Westminster dominated Corban College 79-66. Ruiz and Reeder combined for 45 points and 25 rebounds in the win. The following night, Westminster got 22 points from Ruiz to hold off Albertson College 79-72. The Griffins captured the tournament for the third time in five years and now can prepare for a couple of home games (returning at 5-1).
Connor's teams have had quick starts in the past only to falter through the season. They hope this team will benefit from the experienced players they have. Recruits from Snow College and Dixie should help the team's depth. Forward Nick Booth, a former Riverton High star, was the Frontier Conference Player of the Week on Oct. 31.
Booth had a tremendous game for the Griffins in their 104-102 double overtime win against 12th ranked Concordia. Booth made school history by scoring 26 points and collecting 21 rebounds. He became the first player in school history to post a 20/20 in a single game. The Griffins went on to beat Concordia thanks to a clutch basket from Ruiz with only 5 seconds left in overtime.
As usual, Ruiz chipped in with 22 points and Reeder had 15 points in the win. The Griffins are hoping to keep things rolling this week. They played Albertson College on Thursday night and will host Lubbock Christian Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Payne Gymnasium. The Griffins will play their next seven games on the road before returning home Jan. 14 when they host Lewis-Clark State.
Westminster men's basketball roster
No. NamePositionYear HeightHometown
3 Jared Ruiz G Sr. 6-3 Taylorsville
10 Tyler Heugly G Jr. 5-10 Salt Lake City
11 Rob Holcombe G Jr. 6-1 Provo
13 Brandon Sholly G Jr. 5-11 Ogden
20 Jordan Jacobs G Fr. 5-11 South Jordan
21 Ryan Olson G Sr. 6-1 Salt Lake City
22 Danny Reeder G So. 5-10 Sandy
23 Matt Young G Fr. 6-0 Park City
24 Tye Stauffer G Jr. 6-1 Riverton
30 Bryson Riddle F Fr. 6-6 Bountiful
31 Nick Buroker F Sr. 6-6 Riverton
32 Lance Barton F Jr. 6-8 Lake Stevens, Wash.
33 Brad Roundy F Jr. 6-7 Emery
34 Allen Schowengerdt F Fr. 6-4 Salt Lake City
40 Nick Booth F Jr. 6-4 Riverton
Head Coach: Tommy Connor
Assistant Coaches: Todd Phillips, Jason Long, Johnny Saccomanno
Manager: Roger Hale
Trainer: Rick Hackford
Westminster's remaining men's basketball schedule
Date Opponent Time Location
11/26/2005 Lubbock Christian University 6 p.m. Payne Gym
12/3/2005 Northwest Nazarene University 7 p.m. Nampa, Idaho
12/20/2005 Virginia Intermont College TBA Orlando, FL
12/21/2005 Freed-Hardeman University TBA Orlando,FL
12/30/2005 Benedictine College TBA Phoenix, AZ
12/31/2005 Walsh University TBA Phoenix, AZ
1/5/2006 Rocky Mountain College 8 p.m. Billings, MT
1/7/2006 Carroll College 8 p.m. Helena, MT
1/14/2006 Lewis-Clark State College 7:30 HWA Center
1/19/2006 MSU-Northern 7:30 HWA Center
1/21/2006 University of Great Falls 7:30 HWA Center
1/27/2006 Montana Tech 8 p.m. Butte, MT
1/28/2006 UM-Western 8 p.m. Dillon, MT
2/2/2006 Carroll College 7:30 HWA Center
2/4/2006 Rocky Mountain College 7:30 HWA Center
2/11/2006 Lewis-Clark State College 8 p.m. Lewiston, Idaho
2/17/2006 University of Great Falls 8 p.m. Great Falls, MT
2/18/2006 MSU-Northern 8 p.m. Havre, MT
2/23/2006 UM-Western 7:30 HWA Center
2/25/2006 Montana Tech 7:30 HWA Center
3/1-4/2006 Frontier Conference Tournament TBA Butte, MT
3/15/2006 National Tournament TBA Kansas City, Mo.
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