Zuni handles Crownpoint with second half surge

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Jan 7, 2016 | Basketball |

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Ryan Bowekaty (25) of Zuni prepares to layup the ball against Crownpoint on Tuesday night. The T-Birds used a second half surge to post an 83-49 win.

ZUNI, N.M.

With a new wrinkle added to their system, the Zuni Thunderbirds made easy work of Crownpoint on Tuesday night.

The T-Birds exploded for 53 points in the second half and increased a seven-point halftime advantage into an 83-49 win.

Last month, Zuni got by the Eagles by a mere four points in the Wingate Holiday Classic.

“We’re getting better and we had some good practices during the holiday break,” Zuni coach Wilfred Eriacho said. “We made some adjustments and we’re just trying to emphasize that we need to keep pressure. I think that is what we did tonight and we just took over in the third, fourth quarter.

“They ran out of gas and we kept on going,” he added. “That is what we need to do if we’re going to be competitive. Hopefully this develops a little bit more self-confidence in them so they’ll be able to compete with the teams in our district.”

Senior guard Matthew Tsabetsaye had the hot hand for most of the night as he finished with a game-best 25 points. The T-Birds also had inside presence with senior forward Jared Soseeah scoring at will as he finished with 18 markers.

“They have been key for this team for the last couple of years,” Eriacho said of Tsabetsaye and Soseeah. “They are playing really well right now and they did an excellent job throughout the game.”