Demons snap losing streak

It?s certainly been a tough stretch for the Washington boys? basketball team.

The Demons had lost nine straight going into Thursday night?s game against Grinnell, but that all was forgotten.

The Demons staged a fourth-quarter comeback, and with the help from some stingy defense, picked up a much-needed win, 57-51 over the Tigers in the season finale.

?We went on the road and we won at a Grinnell team that is absolutely huge,? Washington head coach Bryce Smeins said. ?They had 6-foot-7, 6-foot-5, 6-foot-3 guys all over the place and when you go on the road in the last game of the year after a big losing streak and win, it gives great momentum going into the tournament on Monday.?

The Demons improved to 6-15 on the year at the end of the regular season, while Grinnell falls to 11-10 with the loss.

Even through the losing streak, Smeins was happy with the team?s effort and attitude.

?It?s hard to keep losing,? Smeins said. ?They?ve worked hard in practice and we?ve been close a few times now, and been right there. I think we?ve led a few times going into the fourth quarter and just couldn?t finish. We found a way to win.?

Washington trailed Grinnell late in the game, being down 47-38 in the fourth quarter, but a 9-0 run helped the Demons tie the game and eventually take the lead to close out the game.

The tough Demon defense held the Tigers to three points over the last seven minutes of the ballgame.

?We played a lot of zone and double-teamed the big guys,? Smeins said. ?Our guys did a great job defensively last night being active and getting our hands up. That made it hard on Grinnell.?

The Demons were led by Derek Anding?s 22 points in the contest, followed by senior Thomas Bump?s 17 points.

Washington freshman Jaivon Willis has been seeing action for the varsity team in recent weeks and scored 10 points in the contest, and could be a key for the Demons in Monday?s postseason game.

?He had 11 in the game before this one, 10 last night and had a couple free throws that were big late in the game,? Smeins said. ?He does a nice job offensively and on defense and rebounding. He just adds a lot of things to us at both ends of the court and he?s not scared to play.?

The Demons will open up the postseason with a tough draw, facing No. 2 ranked Williamsburg at Clear Creek Amana at 6:30 p.m. on Monday night.