Jordan Semple was simply scintillating in his second collegiate start Saturday in San Bernardino, piling up 14 points, 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and two assists to lead the Wildcats to a huge 69-65 win against the 15th-ranked Coyotes.
Semple finished the weekend with averages of 12 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 1.5 assists and also notched a steal to earn Wildcat of the Week accolades.
The sophomore from Arcata’s five blocked shots Saturday are the most by a Wildcat in the Greg Clink era and bring his career total to 38. He needs only six more to break into the school’s career top 10.
Semple started for the first time as a collegiate on Jan. 5 and finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. But he was back to his reserve roll Friday night. He scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked two shots in 21 minutes, but the Wildcats lost 65-62 at UC San Diego.
He was back in the starting lineup Saturday and played a career-high 36 minutes. Semple set the tone in the first half with six points, eight boards, and a pair of blocks. He played the entire second half and had eight points, four rebounds, three blocked shots and a pair of assists.
He came up biggest when the Wildcats needed him most, securing his final rebound with six seconds left and then knocking down two clutch free throws to clinch the Wildcats’ win.
