Men's Basketball
12/26/2007 - Boone's Double-Double Comes Up Short
Fullerton, CA- Hope International faced off against NCAA Division III Fontbonne in a non-conference game the day after Christmas inside the Darling Pavilion. The Griffins held on for 66-59 win over the Royals. Junior Arron Boone tried to keep the Royals close with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The Royals (1-6) lead 20-15 with 8 and a half minutes to play in the first half but allowed the Griffins (5-3) to close out the half with 23-3 run. Joshua Branch, who finished the first half with 17 points, became a one man machine knocking down 12 points of the 23 points during that stretch. Overall, he finished with 24 points.
Boone picked up his first double-double of the season while Senior Travis Hardeman just missed a double-double by one rebound. He finished with 14 points and 9 boards.
Hope out rebounded the Griffins by one (44-43) but did not box out enough on Justin Storandt as he pulled down 12 rebounds.
Rounding out the double digit scorers, Brian Fogerty chipped in 15 points and Chad Fournie had 10 points to help Fontbonne's cause. The majority of both of their points came from the low post area.
The Royals return to action on Friday against Mid-America Nazarene and Saturday against Warner Pacific at the APU Classic in Azusa to round out 2007. Actually, the Felix Event Center will become the Royals' home away from home for the next three games as they start 2008 by returning to Azusa Pacific to square off against the Cougars on January 5th. All three games will be broadcast on Stretch Internet with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm on the 28th and 29th. The game on January 5th is part of a GSAC double header with Women's Basketball and is scheduled for a 7:30 pm tip-off.