Demon boys hoops staves off Bulldogs

Washington boys basketball would not be denied a bounce back win.

Fresh off a defeat to Keokuk in its first Southeast Conference game, the Demons fought off a comeback attempt against Mediapolis on Tuesday. A buzzer-beating 3-pointer by the Bulldogs’ Max Griffin made it 55-52, but that score held as time ran out on Mepo.

Mediapolis outscored Washington 35-25 in the second half. But the Demons never trailed thanks to a strong opening 16 minutes. They settled down in the fourth quarter after Mediapolis’ press forced a few turnovers. Washington iced the game from the free throw line, making 6 of 8 freebies after entering the bonus with 1:13 left.

“They adjusted,” Washington coach Collin Stark said. “That’s what ultimately won us that game was that we were able to not only break the press, but then we got a few easy buckets, let alone also getting some key free throws.”

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Washington (2-1, 0-1 SEC) avenged a 19-point loss to Mediapolis last season. Tuesday’s victory also sees the Demons back in the win column after they were demolished 78-42 by Keokuk last Friday.

“We got our butts chewed a little bit for that one,” senior Kael Williams said. “And we came out ready to play defense and communicate and have a little fire under us. And I think we did just that.”

Stark said his team got “hit in the mouth” in the first half against the Chiefs. But Tuesday’s game proved those were anything but knockout punches. Washington limited Mediapolis to just 17 first-half points. The Demons came out throwing haymakers on offense, and at one point ballooned their first half lead to 15.

Washington’s intensity on the defensive end created easy transition opportunities. It ultimately gave the Demons a cushion to lean on when Mediapolis punched back.

“Halfcourt games, that’s tough to score,” Stark said. “And that’s where we need to get out and run and get those easy buckets just to open things up a little.”

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Washington took a 30-17 into halftime and held on behind its usual trio of free scoring guards. Rajan Roth, Drew Conrad and Nic Stone all finished in double figures for the third straight game.

Roth led the way for the Demons with 15 points. The senior also tallied six rebounds, one assist and two steals.

Stone finished with 14 points, seven boards, one assist and two steals. Conrad had 10 points, one rebound, three assists, two steals and three blocks.

Washington’s added a fourth double-digit scorer Tuesday in Williams. He racked up a season-high 10 points, along with three rebounds, one assist and a pair of steals.

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The only Demon not in double figures was Aidan Schmitz. But the senior made all three of his field goals and finished with six points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

The Demons balanced scoring is a promising sign for their season. The group’s lack of panic as Mediapolis fought back Tuesday also bodes well for an experienced Washington unit that understands each other’s tendencies.

“We’re very close-knit, and we trust each other,” Williams said. “When it gets away from us we still feel like we have control, and that’s what we kept. We kept our composure and we didn’t get over our heads at all.”

Washington will seek its first conference win when it travels to face Fairfield. The Trojans (1-2, 1-0) lost to Ottumwa 51-46 in their last game.

Tipoff between Washington and Fairfield is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Fairfield High School.