May 29, 2007

University of Texas-Pan American point guard Paul Stoll (Lansing, MI/Lansing Community College) and Reach USA concluded its trip to China, finishing with a 6-2 mark against the Chinese All-Star squads from Zhe Jiang and Xia Jing.

"The international competition, playing against professional players that are older and more experienced is going to make him a tougher, more confident player. In the games I had an opportunity to coach him, I felt like he was playing with a large amount of confidence. He looked comfortable out there, always wanted the ball in his hands, played well defensively and was more vocal than I've ever seen him as a leader," said head men's basketball coach Tom Schuberth.

In game one, the Crusaders handed the Tigers a 74-60 setback as Stoll added five points coming off the bench. In his first taste of international play, Stoll went 2-for-6 from the field, including 1-for-5 from behind the arc to go along with four rebounds, five assists and three steals in the victory over Xia Jing - members of the CBA Top Division.

"The first game was a good game for Paul. We were new as a group, and we fell behind because we weren't playing particularly well. Paul came in and stabilized us by getting the ball to the right people. He got a feel for who our scorers were and what he needed to do offensively. Defensively, he took charge and guarded their best players, being the smallest guy on the court most of the time teams tried to post him up but he did a good job at offsetting that match-up," said Schuberth.

After having one game under its belt, Reach USA shook out the opening game jitters and exploded in game two with a 94-62 drumming of Xia Jing. Making his first start for the Crusaders, Stoll had the second-highest point total on the squad with 15 points. The UTPA senior put on a deep-range shooting clinic as he went 5-for-7 from the field, including 5-for-6 from behind the arc while recording a team high four steals in the contest.

Stoll let his teammates do the talking for him offensively in the team's third game as the Crusader's had five players scoring in double figures to earn the 89-61 victory over the Tigers. The UTPA floor general recorded seven assists while only turning over the ball on just one occasion to go along with seven steals in the contest.

"In the next two games he played as good as I've seen him play. He made open shots, and distributed the ball in the second game. In the third game, his seven steals changed the game. We fell behind in both, but the games were never really in doubt because I felt Paul had us in control," said Schuberth.

Whatever the final score was in China, Stoll was a winner as the experience most people never get will make the UTPA point guard a better person both on and off the court. For head coach Schuberth, the experience his team leader gained will help lead him to his goal of turning around a Bronc basketball program.

"I think even if you don't play basketball when you travel oversees you get to mature by getting to know yourself better not only as a basketball player but as a person. Your point guard in particular, being the leader of your team you want that guy solid and confident, and I think Paul realizes that," said Schuberth.

With his trip to the Far East, Stoll will quarterback a Bronc basketball team that doubled its win total from the previous year, and will look to build on the skill gained from his international experience during the 2007-08 campaign.

UTPA Sports Information