Bears slip past Saints in ECC 3A-4A boys' basketball

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on January 26, 2016 1:48 PM

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bdavis@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne sparked a dismal home crowd when it pulled within three points of New Bern in the final quarter Monday evening.

But the Saints couldn't overcome a first-half slump.

New Bern built as much as a 15-point lead and hung on to defeat Southern Wayne, 84-78, in Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference play.

"We gave up too many points in the first half," SW head coach Dwight Smith said. "Like I told the guys, 'We got to play both halves'. The second half, we came out and played a little bit better. We played Southern Wayne basketball in the second half."

The Bears led 48-33 at halftime.

Saints junior Rakilen Butler assisted senior Josh Graham with a layup to start the third quarter. Butler buried a 3-pointer, and Graham assisted Emmanuel Walker on a basket.

New Bern's Taj Ellis stole the ball and drove the court for a layup. He then tossed up a 3-pointer, and the Bears led the Saints 57-42 with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Southern Wayne junior Daari Walton sank a 3-pointer, and Walton assisted junior Bless Thomas with basket. The Saints were down 64-56 after three quarters and closed the gap even further in the fourth.

Thomas' layup and Butler's two free throws made it 64-60. A turnover helped the Saints get a traditional three-point play from Quentin Carlton. Butler, Thomas and Carlton continued to score, but Ellis -- who led all scorers with 40 points -- drained two 3-pointers to silence the Saints.

"He (Ellis) can play," Smith said. "This wasn't the first time that we've seen him. Yeah, he can play."

Graham led the Saints with 21 points. Carlton added 17 points, and Butler ended the game with 13.

"These guys (Saints) fought in that second half, and I tip my hat off," Smith said. "There's a few mental things down the stretch we could've done differently, but for the most part, I'm proud of them for the second half."

Southern Wayne (1-15 overall, 0-7 ECC) plays host to Charles B. Aycock on Thursday.