Roberts basketball off to good start

The men's and women's basketball teams are off to good starts in 2003 as both teams look to turn heads within in the American Mideast Conference this year. Currently the women stand at 5-2, 1-1 on the season while the men stand at 3-4, 1-0.

On Friday, the men traveled to Ohio to play in the Mt. Vernon Nazarene Tournament featuring Roberts Wesleyan, Defiance College, Mt. Vernon Nazarene and Madonna University. The brackets paired up Roberts to take on Defiance College who came into the game with a 3-1 record on the year. On the night, Roberts fell 74-82. The Raiders were led by senior Dave Rudy (Marellus) with 18 points and 11 rebounds and senior James Floyd (Syracuse) who chipped in 19 points.

On Saturday, the men faced Madonna University in the consolation game of the tournament. Despite shooting 52 percent from the field in the first half, the Raiders found themselves down 39-41 at half-time. In the second half, Roberts stepped up their defense limiting Madonna University to 38 percent shooting from the field. Roberts outscored Madonna 38-30 in the second half giving them a 77-71 victory.

In women's action, the Lady Raiders were on the road at Seton Hill University in a key American Mideast Conference match up. Roberts came into the game with a record of 4-2, 0-1 looking for their first conference victory. Seton Hill entered the game 1-7 on the season. Roberts jumped out to a 36-31 half-time lead limiting the Griffins to 35 percent shooting from the field. In the second half, the Lady Raiders were limited to 22 shots by Seton Hill but shot 55 percent from the field and 100 percent from three-point land to give Roberts a 74-68 victory.