Recently I decided to take in the sights at the Ragan-brown Field house on the campus of my college, Guilford College, on the afternoon that Division III #2Virginia Wesleyan came to town to take on the Quakers. Leading up to the game hype was that this would be one of the best match-ups of the season and both teams made sure that the game held up to that standards.
The intensity inside the Field house could be cut with a knife from the tip-off as players came to the center circle, smacked hands "good luck" and then got down to business. Guilford asserted the inside game early as PF Tobi Akinsola made clear that the paint was and would be his all day. With that assertion the Quakers were able to build their largest lead of 7 points over the Marlins that stood for only a short time as Wesleyan battled back to close the lead to 3 points, 33-30 right before the half ended. Both teams finished the 1st half shooting a stout 44% (VW) and 45.5% (GC) respectively. the 3 point shot was the weapon of choice for the Marlins as they were able to go 5-10 from beyond the ark while on the other end of the court the Quakers could only manage 2-7. The largest disparity of the first half clearly were the amount of fouls that were committed by Wesleyan as they sent the Quakers to the line 12 times. Guilford showed strong discipline by making 11-12 of those free throws to secure their lead and have some breathing room when play resumed in the 2nd half.
Much like the beginning of the 1st half, the second began the same as Guilford came out sluggish and allowed the Marlins to run the ball up and down the court without much defensive resistance. At the 17:11 mark, Wesleyan had regained the lead at 38-37 after popping in a long three that rattled home and quieted the mostly partisan Guilford crowd of 800 in attendance. Wesleyan was able to construct their largest lead of the game in this half of 5 points and seemed to really have their minds right, their defense on point and team defense back together as a team. Watching the teams go back and forth, the score tied 6 times and the lead change 10 times kept the crowd interested and the benches up and down as the pace of the game tired out the starters. With equally strong benches bench points were almost even as Wesleyan only outscored Guilford's bench 16-15. Guilford saw to it that the last lead change would occur at the 2:33 mark of the second half as they too the lead, 59-58, and refused to give it back. Akinsola and SF Brad Monroe sealed the deal as they combined 3-4 at the line in the final minute to ensure the win and appease the crowd that stood for the final 2 minutes of the game. With 6.7 seconds remaining and the Quakers leading 64-61, Wesleyan jacked up one final three point attempt but missed badly as the shot feel a good three feet short of the rim, pinning down the upset-win for Guilford.
A great game by both teams but on the day PF Toby Akinsola would not be denied as he finished with a game high of 26 points and 5 rebounds, 4 of them game changing offensive boards. Wesleyan was led by D.J. Woodmore's 15 points and 8 rebounds, and other balanced scoring from Tre' Roberts and Ed Roberts who finished with 11 points each. Guilford (12-6) takes on Randolph (12-5), both teams winners of their last two games, on 1-26-11 at home. Someones win streak will come to a screeching halt and with sleet and snow in the forecast for the Greensboro area it will be hot on the inside on Ragan-Brown and very chilly on the outside!
Box score provided courtesy of Guilford College Statisticians staff
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