Aycock turns back Hunt
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on December 9, 2009 1:47 PM
PIKEVILLE -- Close with a vengeance.
Charles B. Aycock got key baskets when it needed them and made big defensive stops to hold off Wilson Hunt for a 56-47, non-conference win on Tuesday night.
The Golden Falcons led 26-18 to start the third quarter and pushed their lead to 37-22 in less than four minutes. The Warriors finished the third quarter on a 9-0 run to pull within 37-31 to start the final period.
"We told our guys at halftime that the first two or three minutes of the third quarter were going to be big because we were playing Hunt and Hunt was going to come back," said Aycock head coach David West. "In the fourth quarter we stayed with our 1-3-1 zone and I think that protected us from foul trouble."
Layups from Isaac Ryals and Tyheim Pitt extended the margin to 44-33 with less than five minutes to play. The Golden Falcons forced Hunt into critical turnovers and went 9-for-12 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
"We hit our free throws and that was big," said West. "We still controlled the tempo for the most part of the game. I think we showed a lot of heart and a lot of class in that fourth quarter. That's what it's going to take. We got smarter as the game went on."
Aycock switched to a 1-3-1 zone defense in the second quarter with 6-foot-7 center Brandon Winford at the top. The zone limited the Warriors' half-court offense, prevented transition opportunities and forced Hunt into 14 turnovers for the game.
"Anytime you have a 6-foot-7 guy playing the point on a 1-3-1, it's a different look because a lot of teams will put a smaller, fast guy up there," West. "Having him at the top really gives us an advantage. The four guys behind him have to play mighty hard to keep that advantage going and that's what they did."
Ryals led the Golden Falcons (4-1 overall) with 14 points, while Winford added 13 points and nine rebounds. Pitt provided 11 points and six rebounds.
Aycock visits Goldsboro on Friday night.