The Wright State Lakers took hosted #8 Warren Wilson Sunday afternoon. The Owls of Warren Wilson were fresh off defeating #6 Cincinnati Clermont on Saturday while the Lakers had just defeated Southern State. The Lakers came out focused and ready to challenge the Owls. The first half was a back and forth affair with the score being 45-44 in the Owls favor. For the Lakers David Swillum and Zakarius Milhouse provided early sparks off the bench combining for 23 of the Lakers first half points. In the second half the Lakers took control of the game with their size and strength and just simply overpowered the Owls inside. The Lakers crushed the Owls on the glass grabbing 66-44 rebounding advantage, including 26 offensive rebounds. The Owls had no answer but to foul the Lakers. The Lakers held the advatange at the free throw line with 37 attempts compared to Warren Wilson's 26. Jalen Huff put up a monster game in the second half scoring 16 of his 18 points in the final frame. Huff finished the game with 18 points 12 rebounds 5 assists 3 steals and 2 blocks. Quincy Green chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds, no shot bigger than his 3 from the right wing to give the Lakers the 85-80 lead with 2 minutes left in the game. Isaac Clay iced the game knocking down 5/6 free throws to keep the pressing Owls at arms length. Zakarius Milhouse finished his day with a strong double double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Inside the Box Score:
- Warren Wilson shot 40% from the field compared to the Lakers mere 34 percent but the Lakers had 15 more shot attempts than the Owls.
- Muscling up: The Lakers dominated the glass with 66 total rebounds and 26 offensive.
- Warren Wilson normally a team who shoots 45 three point field goals a game only shot 34 threes today.
- Lakers had 6 players in double figures.
What Coach Says:
Coach Richard Westerlund said this about the team's performance, "I am so proud of our guys. We have been talking about embracing the process and making the most of opportunities and I think we did that tonight. Although we did not shoot the ball particularly well, we missed a lot easy shots we normally make, we found a way to win. That is what tough teams do, they find ways to win." Coach Westerlund on beating a ranked opponent, "This was our first win like this in program history. Like I said I am proud of our guys. Our goal has been lets make the national tournament. We feel we have a national tournament type team it's just a matter of us going out there and proving it. Warren Wilson is a perrenial power in the USCAA so for us to knock them off fresh off their win against #6 it was very sweet." On Jalen Huff's play, "I thought Jalen was very good tonight. He made a lot of big plays for us. I am very proud of him and all our guys. This was a total team effort, so many guys made plays tonight from JG, Isaac, Zeke, Q and David. Top to bottom each guy did their job and that's why we came out on top."
Up Next:
Lakers will host their final home game of the semester Thursday, December 14th, versus Boyce College 7p tip off.