Pilots survive home opener with 81-79 win over Wildcats
November 07, 2006
Hector Garza drained a half court buzzer beater to conclude the first half which sent the Pilots to the locker room with a 40-39 lead. The half saw the two team’s force nine turnovers each while the Wildcats out rebounded the Pilots by a 21-19 margin.
The Pilots managed to shoot 14-of-29 (48%) from the floor but struggled to capitalize on their free throw attempts making just 7-of-12 opportunities.
The second half saw seven ties and nine lead changes as the two teams battled it out down the stretch. Trailing 74-73 with less than four minutes remaining, Freddy Hughes decided it was time to take over for the Pilots.
Hughes, a 5’10 senior guard poured in six points, four of which came with 0:22 seconds remaining. Hughes hit a baseline jumper to stretch the Pilot lead to 77-74, and followed with a steal on the Wildcats ensuing inbound play which led to two free throw shots which iced the Pilots home victory.
The Wildcats hit a three-pointer with 0:00.4 remaining on the clock, but it was too little too late as the Pilots hung on to win by a final score of 81-79.
Garza led the Wildcats with 17-points while Octavious Bailey added 15 points and six rebounds. WC finished shooting 43% from the floor while making just 10-of-16 (62%) free throw attempts.
Hughes led all scorers with 25-points while adding five rebounds and four assists for the Pilots. Jamon Morris had a monster game on the boards collecting a game high 14-rebounds to go along with 18-points. Blake Whittle pitched in with 13-points and six rebounds, while Greg Tyer rounded off the Pilots offense with six points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots.
The Pilots will now prepare for their next home game which will be Monday, November 13, against Philander Smith College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.
