Coach White Gets Elusive First Win Behind Second Half Surge

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. – The Rust College men's basketball program rode a string of hot-shooting (31-of-55, 56.4%) and a lockdown defense (21 points allowed) through the second half to pull away from ABC during the annual Dr. Ishmell Edwards Classic and land Head Coach Howard White Jr. his first victory at the school, 76-60.

The Basics:

• Score
  • Rust – 76
  • Crowley's Ridge – 60

• Records
  • Rust (1-2, 0-0 Gulf Coast)
  • Arkansas Baptist (3-3, 1-0 Continental)

• Location
  • Holly Springs, Mississippi – W.A. McMillan Center

• Series History (Since 2021-22)
  • Arkansas Baptist Leads 2-1 (33.3%)

• Winning Streak (Since 2021-22)
  • Rust (W1) | Arkansas Baptist's Last Win: January 30, 2022 (72-69)

Rust Top Performers:

• Khalil Brown seemingly could not miss, notching a game-high 19 points on 7-for-8 (87.5%) plus five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

• Keron Bailey came one rebound shy of a double-double off the bench, dropping nearly a point per minute (13 points, 14 minutes) and nine boards in addition to a contest-best three blocks.

• Xavier Evans was the final double-figure scorer, posting 11 points while getting defensive with a match-most four steals.

• Christopher Hood led the assist category at four and Catthadious Moore put together a stat line of eight points, five rebounds on top of a steal.

Notes:

• The Blue and White lost the turnover battle (-2 margin) but won the battle of the boards (+4) while converting 25% more of their shot attempts from the field.

Next:

• The Bearcats host 2024 GCAC member and rival HBCU Stillman College on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. as the Tigers make the first of many trips to northern Mississippi in the years to come.