NAIA Hawks learn from losses to Division I teams

[November 14, 2012]  SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The NAIA San Diego Christian Hawks, from the far-flung suburb of El Cajon, can handle the punishment they take when they play Division I opponents.

Like Tuesday night, when they lost 91-57 to No. 25 San Diego State.

Jamaal Franklin scored 19 of his 28 points in the first half and had 12 rebounds as the Aztecs bounced back from a 13-point loss to No. 8 Syracuse on Sunday. Chase Tapley scored 18 for SDSU (1-1).

The game had been scheduled for Sunday night, but was pushed back when SDSU's season-opening game against Syracuse on the USS Midway aircraft carrier was postponed from Friday night to Sunday afternoon because of the threat of rain. Syracuse won 62-49.

"I like scheduling difficult because I think it exploits your weaknesses," Hawks coach Tim Cook said. "I don't see the dejection or any loss of confidence in our locker room. All I see is guys who see that we have to develop our strengths and weaknesses to play at our level."

The game counted as an exhibition for the Hawks, who got 15 points from Kevin Dawson and 14 from Kwaminique Brandon.

"What you can take away from this game is, No. 1, confidence," Cook said. "We are getting better as a team. The Division I level is a lot different than our level as far as the pace of the game. It's much more open, a lot more shot attempts. If you're looking for a silver lining, it's how do we get better from the last game?"

The Hawks lost 91-58 at San Diego on Friday night and have six more exhibitions against Division I teams.

Earlier Tuesday, SDSU freshman forward Winston Shepard was suspended for three games by the NCAA for violating preferential treatment legislation. SDSU said it has appealed the penalty, but the suspension will be enforced during the process. The school declined to provide specifics, saying only that the player inadvertently violated a rule and that the coaching staff reported it to the compliance staff, which self-reported it to the NCAA.

Shepard was cited for marijuana possession on campus in late June. A school spokesman said Shepard was disciplined by coach Steve Fisher, which did not involve being suspended from games.

San Diego State took a 4-0 lead in the first 23 seconds. The Aztecs got the tip and Franklin made a layup. JJ O'Brien stole the ball and fed Tapley for a layup.

DeShawn Stephens scored seven of the Aztecs' next nine points for a 13-8 lead.

San Diego State made only four of 19 shots from 3-point range. On Sunday, the Aztecs made only one of 18 3-pointers against Syracuse.

[Associated Press; By BERNIE WILSON]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.