Wabash found its offensive stroke from the start of Friday night's in-state basketball matchup against Tri-State University at Chadwick Court. The Little Giants hit 30-of-50 shots in the game on the way to an 82-70 win over the Thunder.
The Little Giants outscored Tri-State 23-13 in the final seven minutes to pickup their third consecutive home victory and fourth win in a row on the way to a 5-3 season record. Senior guard Kyle Medeiros lit up the scoreboard with a season-high 22 points, including 14 in the first half.
Wabash jumped out to a 13-4 lead early in the contest before Tri-State's full court pressure and quick man-to-man defense began forcing the Little Giants into turnovers to give the Thunder some quick transition baskets. Tri-State recovered from the early nine-point deficit to draw within three on a layup by Andre Patrick. The Little Giants went on another run, this time outscoring Tri-State 9-0. Again the Thunder would pressure Wabash, ending the Little Giants' scoring run while starting their own. Tyler Lee, Maurice Brookins, and Derrick Graham drained three-pointers during a 13-0 run by Tri-State that gave the Thunder a 23-22 lead.
The Little Giants responded after falling behind by three points with a jumper by Medeiros and another basket inside by Andrew Zimmer. The two teams traded baskets in the final five minutes of the first half before a three-pointer by Adonis Joseph with 16 seconds left in the half gave Wabash a 34-33 edge at the break.
The Little Giants had shot well in the opening period, connecting on 14-lf-25 shots for 56 percent. But turnovers plagued the Wabash offense, committing 17 miscues in first half, leading to 17 points for the Thunder.
Wabash would not only take better care of the basketball in the final 20 minutes; it would improve on its already solid shooting effort.
Both teams traded baskets and leads in the second period, tying the score four times and exchaning leads on seven occasions. The Little Giants tied the score at 52-52 with 10:18 left when Caleb Lyttle drove to the basket on the left baseline for a layup. Joseph stole the ball on the next Tri-State possession, and Medeiros made the mistake count for Wabash with a quick basket going the other way. A rebound by Medeiros, the North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, turned into two more points when freshman Brian Maloney hit a turnaround eight-foot jumper to give Wabash a 56-52 lead.
Michael Woods answered two Tri-State free throws with one of his three three-point baskets to put the Little Giants up five. Another layup by Lyttle and two more baskets by Maloney began to open up the floor for Wabash.
The tide could have turned for the Thunder when Micah Williams cut the Wabash lead to six with 6:03 left in the contest. But Medeiros answered with another three-pointer, one of 11 in the contest.
Zimmer gave the Little Giants an 11-point lead with a drive off the glass from the right side with 1:31 left. Free throws by Lyttle and Woods stretched the advantage to 14 before Wabash settled for the 12-point victory.
The Little Giants drilled 16-of-26 shots in the second half for 64 percent and committed only five second period turnovers. Wabash also had 19 assists in the game, including a career-best six by Joseph. Medeiros also had a career-high five assists, along with a career-best five from Woods.
Lyttle and Zimmer each had 13 points to go with the 22 from Medeiros. Joseph and Woods each chipped in 11 as four of the five starters hit double figures. Lyttle also grabbed nine rebounds to pace the Little Giants.
Wabash is off until Saturday, December 17 when the Little Giants resume NCAC play with a 7 p.m. tipoff at Denison University. The junior varsity team will take on the Big Red JV squad prior to the varsity start.