Pioneers Blowout Capitol Hill 81-29, Start Season 2-0
Second-year coach Sean Morgan sees progress as Pioneers prepare for tough stretch ahead
The Stillwater Pioneers dominated from start to finish Tuesday night, cruising past the Capitol Hill Red Wolves 81-29 at Pioneer Field House to improve to 2-0 on the young season.
For a program that won just four games all of last year, the early returns under second-year head coach Sean Morgan are encouraging.
"First time we're starting 2-0, and that's halfway to the win total we had last year," Morgan said. "The trajectory of the program is in a good spot, but we're trying to just continue to build and not get complacent."
The Pioneers put together one of their most complete performances in recent memory, shooting 57% from the field while holding Capitol Hill to just 21%. Stillwater dominated the glass with a 48-16 rebounding advantage and dished out 16 assists compared to the Red Wolves' four.
Senior Orin Reuter (22) and sophomore Garrette McCutcheon (33) led the way with 13 points apiece. Reuter added six assists and seven defensive rebounds while shooting 5-of-11 from the field.
Sophomore guard Charlie Rutherford (11) stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, seven assists and three steals, while senior EJ Cornelius (3) added 10 points and finished with a game-high plus-minus of +48.
Ivan McFarlin II (15) chipped in eight points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting with two monster dunks.
Despite the lopsided score, Morgan kept his foot on the gas throughout the game, with an eye toward postseason habits.
"We can't take things for granted because of our history, but also we've got to learn to just put people away," Morgan said. "We're planning to hopefully play at the end of the year in March."
The Pioneers now face a challenging stretch with road games at Moore and Putnam City North before returning home to host Edmond Memorial Dec. 12.
"We got a tough stretch right here," Morgan said. "Getting this one was big just so we have that and build on that."
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