SURPRISE, Ariz. — The OUAZ Spirit men's basketball team put on an impressive performance against the Northern New Mexico Eagles, showcasing depth, energy, and dominance in the paint. In a game filled with back-and-forth action and a roaring home crowd, the Spirit used a strong second-half surge and major bench contributions to take control and earn a statement win.

• First Half (35-33): The men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with the Northern New Mexico Eagles in an intense first half that saw both teams trading baskets from start to finish. Carter Gittens led the Spirit offense with 10 points, showing confidence and consistency on the floor. Zeke Viuhkola followed closely with 7 points, keeping the energy high and the scoreboard tight. On the boards, Jack Galiardi, DJ Jones, and Gittens each grabbed 4 rebounds, helping the Spirit stay even in second-chance opportunities. The Spirit bench also provided a strong spark, contributing 10 points compared to just 2 from the Eagles' reserves. The Spirit's balanced effort kept the game competitive heading into the break, setting up an exciting second half.

• Second Half (72-68): The intensity carried into the second half as the Spirit and Eagles continued to battle in front of a lively, energized crowd. Jones took over the game after halftime, dominating with 13 points and adding 3 more rebounds to his stat line. Viuhkola stayed hot, contributing another 8 points to keep the Spirit's momentum rolling. OUAZ asserted their presence inside, overwhelming the Eagles with a 24–4 advantage in points in the paint. The Spirit bench also proved to be a major difference-maker, finishing with 29 points compared to Northern New Mexico's 10. With strong team play and a powerful second-half push, the Spirit pulled away to secure an impressive home victory.

Top Performers

• Carter Gittens — 16 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds

• Zeke Viuhkola — 15 points, 2 assists, 4 rebounds

• DJ Jones — 15 points, 7 rebounds

Up Next

The Spirit continue action on the road with an exhibition game against University of Montana on Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00 PM (MST).

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