Swannanoa, N.C. - On the heels of receiving the #7 ranking in the USCAA first coaches poll of the season, the Warren Wilson Owls notched a key victory over NCAA Division 3 Brevard College.
"I told the guys going into the game that this game isn't a "big" game, but the importance of it was high and that our sense of urgency needs to be high from the jump. As the starting lineups were being called, we were told that we were #7, and that heightend the importance just a touch more."
The Tornadoes drew first blood, taking a 2-0 lead, and that was the last time they would lead the game. The Owls jumped on the Tornadoes early, and got the lead up to as much as 18, but the Tornadoes refused to go away. They would cut the lead to single digits multiple times, but key stops and baskets down the stretch would take the Owls into the half ahead by 8.
The second half was very similar to the first half. The Owls went up 18 and the Tornadoes went on a run, cutting the Owls lead to 3. Jordan Gant would knock down 3 consecutive 3 pointers to push the Owls lead back to double digits, and the Owls never looked back.
Junior guard Tyquavion Dix lead the Owls by notching his first double-double of the season with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Gant finished with 21 and 6 rebounds. Seniors Darius Bryant and Lukas Juozapavicius each finished with 15 a piece.
Senior guard Merault Almonor was the saving grace for the Owls down the stretch. Getting stops, taking charges, scoring baskets. Almonor did it all for the Owls as he finished with 16 points. "Malik finished with 16 points, but his impact on today's game was absolutely incredible. He guarded their best player, was diving for loose balls, sacrificing his body all for us to get a win. That is Warren Wilson Basketball at its finest. Tonight was a great team win. We still need to guard better, we are giving up close to 90 PPG right now, and we cant continue to do that, but in a game like this, on the heels of such great news, we are back in the drivers seat and as a staff we cant ask for much more than that," stated men's basketball coach Anthony Barringer.
The Owls are back in action at home Friday, December 1st as they host Georgia Northwestern Technical College as the second part of a double-header. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 P.M.
