Warrior boys answer Firebirds' third-period surge

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on December 19, 2012 1:47 PM

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Southern Nash made the quick run.

Eastern Wayne adjusted and claimed the non-conference win.

Quavus Holloman pumped in a game-high 17 points and Malik Richard just missed recording a double-double during Eastern Wayne's 62-56 triumph over Southern Nash on Monday evening.

Richard contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots.

"Malik is running the floor a lot better than he did at the beginning of the season," first-year Warriors head coach Glen Darden said. "He's been picking it up."

The Warriors (4-5 overall) led 33-24 at halftime, but the Firebirds opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run. Chi-Ali Bunn's old-fashioned three-point play shaved the deficit to 36-35 with 4:52 remaining, but the visitors would get no closer.

Darden switched to a zone defense to give his players some rest and Southern Nash committed careless turnovers. Holloman ignited a quarter-ending 13-1 run with a layup and also buried a 3-pointer off Anton Williams' assist.

"Sloppy ... 22 turnovers (for the game)," Firebirds head coach Robbie Kennedy said. "We'd miss a layup and give them a layup, or turn the ball over. We did a good job of trying to come back at the end.

"I'm very disappointed."

Southern Nash climbed to within 56-50, but Eastern Wayne's Joe Herlihy quashed any further hopes with a 3-pointer off Holloman's cross-court pass. The Warriors drained three free throws in the final minute to seal the outcome.