OREM — The Orem Tigers used a swarming defense and the length of shot-blocker Ian Harward to cruise to a 80-53 victory over Spanish Fork in the two teams' season-opener held at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon.
Harward sealed up the post, challenging every shot taken within 10 feet of the basket. The 6-foot-10 senior finished with 15 points and nine blocks while altering several more shots.
"Our transition was pretty good and we didn't turn the ball over," said Orem coach Mike O'Conner. "We were able to get out in front of them and when you get more easy baskets, the nicer a game goes."
Heading into the break, the Tigers opened up a 34-22 lead behind Jordan Egbert's eight first-half points. The Tigers' relentless pressure continued in the second half, spawning a 6-0 run to open the third quarter. Orem's spurt quickly turned into a 20-point lead midway through the quarter and grew exponentially, giving the Tigers a 23-point margin heading into the fourth quarter.
Egbert finished with a game-high 20 points, as most of his buckets came off transition lay-ups. The Tigers' defense made it difficult for the Dons to set up their offense or even cross half-court, intercepting pass after pass on the way to the easy victory. The attention paid Harward by Spanish Fork also opened the passing lanes for Egbert to have a monster game offensively.
"A lot of Jordan's success can be accredited to Ian," O'Conner said. "Jordan's a good player; he took advantage of it, and we're going to need him all year."
Led by Ren Williamsen's 15 points, Spanish Fork scrapped and hustled to get back into the game, but it was too little too late as the two teams traded baskets throughout the fourth quarter.
The Dons struggled to get open looks at the basket, as most of Williamsen's points came late in the fourth period with the game already sealed for the Tigers.
"I'm just kind of a big guy and just keep my hands up hoping I'll hit something," said Harward of his shot blocking. "When the defense collapses on me, I can always just kick it to Jordan."