Reed gives Trojans spark against Warriors

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 8, 2015 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

rcoggins@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Just minutes after forward Mike Moore sustained a high right-ankle sprain, University of Mount Olive went to another option -- starter Dominique Reed.

The 6-foot-6 junior forward converted two offensive putbacks as the Trojans started to pull away from Southern Wayne midway through the opening half Wednesday evening.

But a confident Reed became dominant during a 71/2-minute stretch that began with three-plus minutes left before halftime and carried into the early stages of the second half. The returning starter collected 14 of his team-best 18 points and helped UMO cruise to an 82-68 triumph over the Warriors, a first-year Conference Carolinas member.

"If we can establish him, that gives us more options," UMO head coach Joey Higginbotham said. "We wanted to get it inside against their zone and get on the backboards, and we did a good job of that. We've seen a lot of zone since we've been back from Christmas.

"(Soon) teams are going to start collapsing on him and he's got to make the decision to kick it out."

Reed converted 8 of 9 field goals and pulled down seven rebounds. Kendall Hargrove just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Emmanuel Patton provided 10 points in a reserve role.

A total of 10 players saw playing time for the No. 24-ranked Trojans, who remained unbeaten in eight outings this season at Kornegay Arena.

"A lot of guys were ready to play and that was good," Higginbotham said. "We need to get some depth, got to find another guy or two who can give us double-figure minutes. For us to be the best we can down the stretch in February (and) March, we're going to have to get there."

Tayon Cleaves drained three 3-pointers and dished out four assists in 20 minutes of action. Sixth man Jordan McCain delivered a six-point, seven-rebound effort.

The outcome never appeared in doubt despite gracious officiating that benefited the Warriors, who collected nearly one-third of their points at the free throw line. SWU owned a decisive 24-9 advantage at the stripe and UMO attempted 16 less free throws in a poorly-managed game.

Southern Wesleyan (3-10 overall, 3-3 CC) closed to within 42-33 on back-to-back baskets by senior guard Buster Walker. Reed ignited a 10-2 run that included a pair of offensive putbacks after missed perimeter shots.

McCain converted a second-chance opportunity, also.

The Trojans (13-2, 6-1) built 20-point leads on two occasions in the second half, only to see the Warriors profit from calls underneath the basket that led to trips to the line. Cameron Solomon, SWU's leading scorer, pumped in a game-high 20 points that included an 8 of 13 effort at the stripe.

UMO finished 9 of 18 on free throws.