Published: December 30, 2006 11:35 pm      

Cougars dominant in win over Union

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For the second day in a row, Mountain State University dominated a team in the second half Saturday.

Difference was, the Cougars were pretty good in the first half, too.

MSU tied its season high points total in a 105-82 win over Union College, Ky., at the Trojan Booster Endowment Classic at Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University.

A day after struggling to just 28 first-half points in a win over Tennessee Baptist, the Cougars (12-3) had the offense working the entire way against the Bulldogs.

MSU, No. 7 in NAIA Division I, led 53-46 at the break before running away in the second half.

MSU outscored Union 52-36 in the second half.

“We got off to a good start, then they still made a run at the end of the first half,” MSU coach Bob Bolen said. “In the second half we were able to pull away. We shot the ball extremely well.”

The Cougars shot 50 percent from three-point range and 51 percent overall.

Paul Wright went over 30 points for the second time in the tournament, finishing with a game-high 36. He also pulled down 11 rebounds.

Renardo Dixon contributed 19 points, followed by Ralph Legg with 14 and Petroslav Zafirov with 10.

“Renardo Dixon came off the bench and gave us a lift,” Bolen said.

Union (6-9) got 16 points each from Jerrod Gibbons and David Vance and 10 from Ryne Bretz.

The Cougars return home for the first time since Nov. 25 when they host Lee University (Tenn.) Tuesday at the Raleigh County Armory. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.