By Ron Smith
November 9, 2019
 
(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) For the third time in its first four games, Westmont Men's Basketball (4-0) eclipsed the century mark, defeating the Eagles of La Sierra (2-3) on their home court by a score of 105-71.
 
"We shot well in both halves, almost 60% in both halves," said Westmont head coach John Moore. "When your 3-point shooting is 10 for 15 in the second half, you are going to win a few games."
 
The Warriors were led in scoring by Cade Roth who tallied 31 points making six of nine from beyond the arc while pulling down six rebounds and dishing of five assists.
 
"Cade had a very nice game – 16 at halftime and 15 in the second half," said Moore. "He had very consistent shooting, very confident shooting and played a wonderful all-around game."
 
Gyse Hulsebosch notched 18 points, three rebounds and two steals.
 
"Gyse is playing very confident basketball," expressed Moore. "He is finally in the upperclassmen, leadership role and he is taking it on extremely well. I am so proud of Gyse and the way he is leading the second group. He played 14 minutes and ended up with 18 points and went four from six from the three point line."
 
Moore was also pleased with the play of his two starting point guards – Jared Brown and Abram Carrasco.
 
"Between the two of them, they had 15 assists and three turnovers. That is a five-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio. That is impressive.
 
"It has been surprising how quickly most of the new players have picked up the Westmont basketball," acknowledged Moore. "I didn't expect them to be ready to understand the intricacies of the offense at this point. However, they are very good and talented players with high basketball IQs. That helps, and they naturally know how to play the game and read the game.
 
"Those two point guards in particular have grasped things very quickly, especially with the ball in their hands as much as it has to be. Jared and Bram have proven that they know how to carry a team. They have had lots of help from Gyse who has helped them along famously. To do that takes a swallowing of your pride and a grateful spirit. Gyse has certainly shown that he has that."
 
Brown tallied 12 points and seven assists while Carrasco recorded 11 points and eight assists. Also scoring in double digits were Hunter Sipe (13 points) and Justin Bessard (10 points).
 
"Coach Landon Boucher has felt that we would be able to score this year," said Moore. "We have proven we can score. We had straight possession where we made five 3-pointers in a row from three or four different players, so that tells you how well we can shoot the ball. It is more a question of if we can stop the other team."
 
While Moore is pleased with the offensive production, he thinks the defense is still developing.
 
"Defensively, I thought we were very good for 18 minutes of the first half," assessed Moore. "We didn't close out the half very well. In the second half, we outrebounded them by five. Our goal was to outrebound them by seven in the game, so I thought that our defensive rebounding was much better in the second half. Parts of the second half, we were quite good with steals.
 
"The defense is coming along, but it is just going to take a little more time. Typically, the offense takes more time, but the offense has come along sooner than the defense. We just need more time on the court with one another."
 
Westmont's season continues next Saturday when the Warriors welcome the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer to Murchison Gymnasium for a seven o'clock game.