McKinney's FT preserves Saints' home win

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on December 17, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- Free throws nearly doomed Southern Wayne.

Shot after shot clanked off the rim during crunch time, which allowed North Lenoir to get back in to the game.

But when it mattered most with seven seconds left in the game, Dequan McKinney knocked down a free throw to push the Saints' advantage to three -- which took away the Hawks' options of either layups or mid-range jumpers.

During a timeout, Southern Wayne coach Dwight Smith told his players to watch for a wheel play. He wanted his team to keep North Lenoir's players in front of them and not allow an open 3-pointer that would tie the game.

North Lenoir pushed the ball up court on the ensuing possession and found Dijon Cobb on the wing, who launched a shot that fell harmlessly to the floor.

Southern Wayne held on for the 67-64 win Tuesday evening.

"That free throw made it so they had to make a three, and after he missed the first one I told him he was going to make that one and he did and it was huge," Smith said.

McKinney finished with just four points.

After sitting out most of the first half with foul trouble, Marquail Roddick was a game changer in the second half, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. His presence in the post helped the Saints push the game to a 10-point lead in the second half.

Southern Wayne would have kept the lead had it not been for its poor free throw shooting and a strong individual performance from Hawks guard Javonta King, who scored 16 points.

"They were aggressive and they never quit," Smith said. "And we know they wouldn't. No good team ever does. But we were able to hold on ... (Marquail) is huge for us. We're a much better team with him on the floor and when we get the ball to him."

After playing one of his best games to date, Roddick didn't have a whole lot to say. The biggest key for him was to just make sure he's on the court.

"Just play good defense and not foul anyone," Roddick said of his key to success.

Roddick was the only Saints player to score in double figures, but Southern Wayne had 11 guys get in the scoring column.

"That's how we play," Smith said. "We get everyone involved, we don't have anyone score 26 or 27 a night."

That balance served the Saints well against the Hawks, and they'll need that kind of effort again Thursday in their Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference opener against Charles B. Aycock.

There's one more thing Southern Wayne will need against CBA. The quiet Roddick blurts it out with a small chuckle.

"Free throws," he said.