Saturday, February 16, 2008

Men’s basketball: Dallas Baptist 70, Johnson & Wales 66

By Pegasus News wire

DBU's Men's Basketball Team wrapped up their fifth straight victory on Saturday afternoon when they took down a competitive Johnson and Wales team. The Patriots defeated the Wildcats, 70-66, to improve to 10-14 on the season, while Johnson and Wales fell to 4-17.

The Wildcats surprised the Patriots in the first half with their ability to hit the long distance shot and play hard nose man-to-man defense. With their intensity they forced DBU into eight turnovers in the first half, which helped them take a 40-35 lead into the break. The Patriots only managed to shoot 38 percent from the field and 40 percent from the charity line to end the half.

DBU came out on a mission in the second half and went on a quick run to recapture a five-point lead. The Patriots used the trap and pressured the ball to force the Wildcats into turnovers and bad shots. Using the turnovers the Patriots where able to knock down some easy baskets to regain the lead and maintain it.

Johnson and Wales being a feisty team would not quit and cut the lead to one point with about 1:30 left on the clock. Freshman Braxton Adamson then stepped up on the next Patriots offensive serious and knocked down a huge three-point basket to give DBU a four-point lead. DBU managed to hang on to the lead and close out the game because of four straight free throws made be Junior Shelby Lewis.

Senior Manny Montano continues to be a force down low scoring a season high 20 points and he pulled down nine boards. Adamson finished is game off with 17 points and two assists, while Lewis finished with four points and six assists.

The Patriots shot 38 percent from the field, 21 percent from beyond the arch, and 60 percent from the charity line. DBU held the Wildcats to 41 percent from the field, 34 percent from the three-point line, and forced them into 22 turnovers, which proved to be the difference in the game.

DBU will be in action again when the travel to Jefferson City, MO, on February 18, to take on Lincoln University.

Source: DBU

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