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Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo Head Ram basketball Coach Fred Rike guides his team from the sidelines.

In their first Lone Star Conference tournament appearance since 2001, the Angelo State men's basketball team fell to North Division champion Central Oklahoma, 85-75, last Wednesday in Bartlesville, Okla.

The Rams had trouble holding onto the ball, as they committed 22 turnovers, while Central Oklahoma had 16. UCO capitalized on these mistakes as they scored 29 points off of ASU turnovers.

"[Turnovers] were the difference in the game," head coach Fred Rike said. "We also put them on the foul line too often. They did a good job getting to the basket."

The Rams also caught another bad break when senior Marcus Hubbard, an All-LSC South Division first team selection, went for a dunk late in the first half and was injured on an intentional foul.

Four Rams scored in double figures in the game. Maso Hamilton led ASU in scoring with a career-high 23 points, while Brice Nengsu had 14 points and seven rebounds. Quinn Barfield added 12 points and Marcus Hubbard had 11 points before leaving the game early. Jerod Haynes led the Rams with seven assists.

This game would be the last in an Angelo State uniform for seniors Hubbard, Haynes, Nengsu, and Barfield. Haynes was honored along with Hubbard at the pre-tournament banquet last Tuesday night. Haynes earned All-LSC South honorable mention, as he was fifth in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio and led the conference in assists.

Hubbard was the Ram's leader in scoring and rebounding and was second in the LSC in blocked shots this season. His first team All-LSC selection was his second in two years.

Junior Denell Stephens was also honored at the banquet, earning an All-LSC South second team selection. Stephens was third in offensive rebounds and had the fourth highest field goal percentage in the conference.

Although they did not get past the first round, the Rams are still proud of the improvements they made during this season.

"It was really good for us to make the tournament," Rike said. "We're the first here in six or seven years to make it."

The Rams ended the season ranked No. 10 in the South Central Region poll.

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