Demons win opener against Trojans

WASHINGTON -- Washington came away with a Southeast Conference win in its season opener against Fairfield on Friday, 50-45.

Fairfield came out swinging, going on a 12-4 run over a five-minute span in the first quarter.

The Demons had an answer. Washington went on to hold the Trojans to just two points in the final three minutes of the quarter, while scoring six points of their own to make it 14-10 at the end of the first.

In the second quarter, the two teams continued to shadow one another. The Demons finally took the lead at the 4:58 mark with a bucket from Lucas Kroll.

“It seemed we were a little surprised at the intensity that they brought,” Washington head coach Collin Stark said. “The one thing that we have going for us is that we’re senior dominated. These guys have been through this before. They’ve been through a lot of games where they make a run, and you have to answer. It could have very easily gotten away from us.”

At halftime, Washington held just a two point lead over Fairfield, 22-20.

The game continued to stay within five points for the majority of the third quarter. Ethan Patterson hit a three with 4.5 seconds on the clock to give Washington a six-point lead heading into the fourth.

Midway through the fourth, Washington had their biggest lead of the game, eight points.

Fairfield gradually squashed the Washington lead, eventually bringing the game to back within three with 45.8 seconds after a full court pass found its way into the hands of a wide open JJ Lane.

With a defensive stop, Fairfield got the ball back with a chance to tie. The Trojans head coach Mick Flattery called a timeout with 11.8 on the clock to set up a play.

The Trojans got the look they wanted after Lane cut through the paint and found himself with an open three on the right arch, but the ball didn’t find the bottom of the net.

Washington went on to hit two free throws to seal the win.

“They were tougher than us on loose balls,” Flattery said. “We had a chance to tie it at the end, but when we have seven team fouls to their three midway through the third quarter and we don’t pound that ball inside or dribble drive inside and take advantage, that’s poor management on our part.”

Ethan Patterson and Lucas Kroll led Washington in scoring with both scoring 13 a piece. Aden Six added 10 points. Travis Leyden finished with six. Lance Sobaski ended the night with four. Kasen Bailey and Avery Six both chipped in two.

For Fairfield, JJ Lane was the leading scorer with 13 points and five assists. Tate Allen added 11 points and four assists. Max Weaton chipped in nine points and four rebounds. Ryan Higgins came off the bench and grabbed nine rebounds for the Trojans.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com