By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON–The Muskegon Big Reds boys basketball team cruised past Grand Rapids Union on Tuesday with an 83-42 OK Green win.
The Muskegon defense set the tone while the offense took advantage with 6-6 junior Terrance Davis and 6-5 junior Stanley Cunningham. The Big Reds also canned seven shots from beyond the arc.
“I thought our defense was solid. That’s been our calling card all year,” said Muskegon Big Reds head coach Keith Guy.
Ten players found the scoring column for Muskegon with senior Jordan Briggs leading the way with a game-high 20 points. Briggs connected on four 3-pointers.
“Let’s be serious about the Mr. Basketball conversation,” Guy commented. “I’ve seen many Mr. Basketballs and I think I got two legit candidates in him and Anthony Sydnor III. They both got it. I want to put that out there,” said Guy on Tuesday evening.
Photo/Craig Smith
Joining Briggs in double digits were Davis with 16 points and Cunningham with 11 points, including two slam dunks. Davis had a game high 10 rebounds while Cunningham hauled down eight boards. Anthony Sydnor III dished out five assists.
Muskegon led from start to finish. The Big Reds raced out to an 18-4 lead after the first eight minutes of action. Cunningham led the first quarter surge with seven points.
The Big Reds extended that lead to 35-15 by halftime, outscoing the Red Hawks 17-11 in the second stanza. Briggs canned 10 points in the quarter.
Muskegon continued to run away from Union in the second half, burning the nets for a 24-14 third quarter advantage and a 24-13 advantage in the final eight minutes.
Briggs led the third quarter charge with seven points. Muskegon coach Keith Guy emptied his bench for a good portion of the fourth quarter as the Big Reds got their ninth straight win to start the season.
Marquan Ross led Grand Rapids Union with 14 points while Ronnie Burton tossed in 13 points.
Muskegon (9-0, 4,0) will travel to Wyoming on Friday evening.
