Bluejays win one, lose in Hastings
Tabor beats Baker, tumbles
to Graceland in Nebraska
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Considering the way the Bluejays opened the season a year ago, there was a little something to be thankful for over the holiday weekend.
One year ago, the Bluejays went seven games without a victory before tripping eventual KCAC co-champion Sterling in the league's opening game.
Spending the weekend in the Cornhusker State at the Hastings Tournament, the Bluejays are off to a 4-3 start to begin what should be yet another wild year in the KCAC.
The Bluejays opened the tournament Friday with a hard shot delivered by the Graceland Yellow Jackets.
After racing to a 37-27 lead over Graceland at halftime, hampered by ugly play, Tabor fumbled the lead and got beat 72-67.
A big reason the Bluejays had the 10-point lead at intermission came from the Yellow Jackets hitting 28 percent from the floor.
While Tabor cooled off after shooting 35 percent the first half, Graceland warmed up to 48 percent, 3-for-4 from outside and 82 percent at the foul line from 17 attempts.
Tabor made just four trips to the line the second half to hit 77 percent with the Yellow Jackets connecting for 81.
With the Bluejays having to deal with four Yellow Jackets in double figures, Martin de Boer scored a game-high 19 points from 6-of-13 from the field and 5-for-6 at from the free throw line.
Brad Gattis and Tony Monson combined for 24 points and 16 rebounds to outdo Graceland in the glass battle, 38-31.
Tabor closed out the tournament Saturday with a much-needed 63-48 win over in-state opponent Baker.
Shooting proved to be the difference with an improved Bluejay defense holding the Wildcats to a paltry 27 percent on the night.
Unfortunately, Tabor wasn't much hotter from the floor hitting 33 percent.
The Bluejays open league play tonight when they travel to Winfield for a meeting with the Southwestern Moundbuilders before hosting Friends Saturday at 7 p.m.
