Box Score SALEM, W.Va. - Evan Kraatz exploded for a career-high 21 points lead Cedarville to a 96-77 G-MAC victory at Salem International.

The Yellow Jackets, 11-13 overall and 4-6 G-MAC, won their third straight game.

Cedarville had barely gotten loose before falling into a 10-0 hole in the first two minutes. But, the Jackets responded with a 22-9 run over the next six-plus minutes to take the lead for good.

The visitors eventually shot 53 percent in the first half and outscored the Tigers by 25 points following the slow start for a 52-37 advantage at intermission.

The difference remained in double figures throughout the second period.

Kraatz buried five three-pointers as part of his big night to along with five assists. Easton Bazzoli and Kwenton Scott tallied 17 points each.

Colton Linkous scored 11 points with a career-high six assists, Patrick Bain had 10 points, and Robert Okoro yanked down 11 rebounds.

Quotable: Head Coach Pat Estepp

"I'm really proud of our guys tonight. After a sluggish start, we stepped up our pressure and got some great minutes from guys off the bench.

"Kraatz played the game we have been waiting on from him. I'm proud of how he has kept fighting in practice and it showed tonight. He was tremendous!

"Easton also did a great job helping us break the press and attacking the basket. Colton gave us some great minutes off the bench and really played composed against Salem's pressure.

"We did a better job in the second half talking care of the ball and sharing it on offense. We are getting closer to putting together a complete game. We need to focus on having a good start on Thursday."

Numbers Game:

• Kraatz' previous career-high was 15 points set last year at Mount Vernon Nazarene.
• Okoro has had 11 or more rebounds four times.
• Scott is averaging 12.2 ppg over his last five outings.
• The Jackets shot .515 from the field. It was the first time they made at least half of their shots since making .500 vs. Cincinnati Christian on Dec. 5.
• CU is shooting .492 during its three-game winning streak.
• The Jackets' entire season has been nothing but streaks - 5 straight losses, 5 straight wins, 4 L's, 3 W's, 4 L's, and 3 W's.
• Cedarville had defeated SIU, 80-77, just five days earlier at home and leads the all-time series, 9-1.
• PDF Stats

Next Up: The Yellow Jackets return to non-conference play on Thursday with a rematch at Bluefield State (Va.) at 6:00 p.m. EST.

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