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What a great second half the ponies played. Bhop hit a HUGE 3 followed by a turn around jumper. Both were HUGE buckets! I was very happy to see Simpson and Isham really get after things too. Q had his regular good game.

I don't know, these guys could really come on now that they seem to have confidence.

Right, the second half was huge. Why can't the Ponies start faster?

Hopkins made some freshman mistakes early on, throwing up some crazy, ill-advised shots. But he seems to have the mental make-up of a good relief pitcher or field goal kicked - no memory. He was sensational down the stretch, and hit clutch shots in the final minutes.

Simpson showed equal maturity. He got hosed by the refs when they called him for his fourth foul when he made that one-handed, back-handed block. It was totally clean. Yet he didn't back down in OT, and had two more blocks in the extra period and showed nice creativity on the offensive end. He seemed a little hesitant earlier this season - seems to be coming out of his shell.

Isham is evolving into a terrific player. He's a little tentative shooting from the outside -- maybe because of the wrist injury -- but he appears to be much more comfortable handling the ball and has become a smothering defender. He has great quickness and long arms for a guy his size, and he's showing a much better understanding of positional defense than he did as a freshman.

Hopkins, Simpson and Isham are going to have to pick up the scoring next year after Q graduates. They'll be Options 1, 2, and 3 next year.

Simpson was among the nominees for WAC player of the week this week.