SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ men's basketball team found little rhythm on offense on Saturday – especially in the first half – and they dropped a 79-54 decision to Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) in a home game at Willow Canyon High School.
 
OUAZ (2-9) had just eight baskets and shot 27.6 percent as a team in the first half that had them trailing 44-17 at intermission. Embry-Riddle (8-7) also forced the Spirit into 12 first half turnovers and the Eagles closed the half with am 18-4 run over the final 4:46 of action.
 
The Spirit ended the game shooting 33.9 percent from the field with 38 points in the paint and 15 points from 15 offensive rebounds. They hit just 1 of 21 from beyond the arc – 4.8 percent – and held a 43-37 edge in total rebounds. OUAZ forced the Eagles into 17 turnovers that tuned into 16 Spirit points.
 
Elijah Simmons led the Spirit with 11 points on 4 of 9 shooting. He grabbed three offensive rebounds and had a pair of assists. Daisean Kirk added seven points while Dimetres Moore, Kevin Lacy, and Brian King Jr. had six points apiece.
 
Embry-Riddle shot 46.6 percent overall and made 7 of 18 from deep. Logan Skurdal led the Eagles with 16 points and four 3-pointers.
 
OUAZ will now hit the road for two straight weeks and four Golden State Athletic Conference games. The stretch begins on Thursday at GSAC leader, and 14-0, Vanguard in Costa Mesa, Calif.