But it wasn’t easy
Game Summary:
Give credit where due, Presbyterian played tough until the end. Their guards, Mincy and Stewart, were unstoppable and together accounted for 48 of the Blue Hose’s 72 points. I’ll bet both coaches would agree this was a good challenge, although Coach Keatts is probably happier with the result.
The Wolfpack started hot from 3PT, hitting 4-11 in the first half. We played well, with 10 assists on 16 made baskets. The Pack built a 14 point lead but then Presbyterian cut it to 7 at the half, 38-31.
But then Coach Keatts remembered Ben Middlebrooks. Ben played 11 of his 19 minutes in the second half and scored 16 points, including going 1-1 from 3PT. Thanks in part to Ben, the Pack maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half with the Blue Hose cutting it to nine at the end of the game. But I don’t think anybody was comfortable until it was over.
Overall Takeaways:
- The Pack generally played well, 18 assists on 31 made baskets is great
- Presbyterian did get some fortunate bounces, but we could have rebounded better
- Shooting improved 55.4% / 36.8% / and a small improvement on free throws to 63.2%
- Turnovers were 6 each half, much better than the first game
- We had 12 steals and 27 fast break points
- This was a more difficult game and the rotation reflected it. O’Connell, Taylor and Styles each played 30+ minutes. The three freshmen totaled 17. (in the presser, Coach Keatts said he didn’t think they were ready for the actions Presbyterian ran) Middlebrooks and Huntley-Hatfield split the game 19/21.
Coach Keatts’ Comments
Individual Highlights
- Dennis Parker, Jr warmed up with the team in pregame, but did not play. James and Diouf were in attendance on the bench as well.
- Taylor had a good game, played with a great deal of energy. He shot 50%/28.5%/75% and ended up leading the team with 19 points. His 5 steals was a career high. However, he had 5 of the team’s 12 turnovers, and that 3PT shooting still needs polishing.
- Middlebrooks had a very good game with 16 points and 3 steals, however he only had one rebound.
- Styles led the team in rebounding with 7
- Michael O’Connell had another strong assist game with 8 paired with only one turnover