Eleven second-half three-pointers carry Wheaton past Salve Regina, 95-84

November 27, 2007

NORTON, MA- Behind 11-of-15 three-point shooting in the second half, the Wheaton College men's basketball team moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2002-03 by downing Salve Regina University, 95-84 on Tuesday evening in Emerson Gymnasium. The Seahawks fell to 1-2 after each team's first game in 10 days.

After going 1-of-7 from beyond the arc in the opening half, the Lyons canned their final 10 second-half three-pointers during an 11:31 stretch, including at one point on six consecutive possessions during a 3:25 span. Sophomore Jaxon Leo (Leesburg, VA/New Hampton School) and freshman Anthony Coppola (Watertown, MA/Watertown) each knocked down five second-half treys, with four of Leo's coming in a matter of 1:38.

Wheaton senior Brent DiGiovanna (Hanover, MA/Hanover) helped the Lyons gain an early lead in the first half, as the squad's captain played a hand in his team's first nine points. The Seahawks drew even at 11 on senior Quinn O'Brien's (West Hartford, CT/Northwest Catholic) free throw with 14:15 left, but Wheaton scored eight of the next 10 points to forge a 19-13 edge at 11:41. The Seahawks eventually trailed 34-26 before freshman Windell Hinkson's (Groton, CT/Robert E. Fitch) three-pointer and lay-in keyed a 7-0 run, and O'Brien's three from the left corner knotted the game at 36 with 1:35 remaining before intermission.

Wheaton took the lead back just 15 ticks later, as junior Nick Michel's (Hyde Park, MA/Boston Latin School) short hook sparked a half-ending 5-1 run. The Lyons held a 41-37 edge at the break after shooting 54.8 percent and 6-of-7 on free throws while committing only four turnovers. The Seahawks remained close thanks to 65.2 percent shooting, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, but knocked down only 2-of-7 from the charity stripe and committed 13 turnovers. During the opening stanza, the teams combined for only one offensive rebound.

The Lyons slowly opened their lead to double digits in the second half before their three-point attack blew the game open. After Seahawk junior Justin Woodworth (Ipswich, MA/Ipswich) brought Salve Regina within five, Coppola contributed 10 points during a 12-4 run in a 3:56 span that made it 61-48 at 13:49. Hinkson countered with four points during a 7-0 run before hitting a three to pull the Seahawks within 71-63 with 7:37 left.

Coppola responded with two long threes 56 seconds apart, and Leo turned in his four quick three-pointers to ignite a 20-7 run that lasted for 3:39 and gave the Lyons their largest lead at 91-70. The Seahawks finished the game on a 14-4 run, yielding four free throws, as Hinkson's lay-in with four seconds left produced the final margin.

For the third consecutive game, Coppola led the team in scoring, as his game-high 24 points came on 9-of-13 shooting, including a 5-of-9 showing from downtown. He also contributed four assists. Leo went 8-of-12 for 21 points, hitting 5-of-6 three-point tries, and he added five rebounds. Coppola and Leo combined for 36 second-half points on 13-of-15 shooting, including 10-of-12 from three-point range.

Freshman Ryan Sasso (Peabody, MA/Bishop Fenwick) tallied 17 points, three assists and three steals, while DiGiovanna went 6-of-8 for 13 points. First-year point guard Bud Gaffney (Berkley, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon School) added seven assists and six steals, while Michel had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks. The Lyons shot 59.0 percent, including 12-of-22 from deep, and picked up 13 steals.

Hinkson shot 8-of-10, including 4-of-5 on three-pointers, in scoring 22 points and grabbed six rebounds. Woodworth totaled 16 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while senior Chris Goodridge (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack) turned in 12 points. Salve Regina hit 54.2 percent of its shots but went 10-of-19 on free throws.

Eight of the Lyons' next nine games are on the road, beginning Thursday at Emerson College at 7:00 p.m.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 11/27/07.
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Upcoming Schedule

15-Nov Sat Plymouth St. Tip-Off A 7:30pm
16-Nov Sun Plymouth St. Tip-Off A TBA
18-Nov Tue Salve Regina A 7:00pm