Wesleyan Rules With 3-point Baskets

The Wesleyan boys basketball team hadn't played a game in 10 days. They hadn't even enjoyed the opportunity to practice in their own gymnasium for two weeks. But none of that seemed to matter on Monday when the Wolves began firing 3-pointers.

The No. 3-ranked Wolves knocked down 10 3-point baskets, making 6-of-6 in the pivotal second period, to turn back No. 6 Providence Christian 68-48 on Monday. That enabled Wesleyan to sweep Providence, as the girls rolled to a 79-21 victory in the opener.

"We're known for being able to shoot 3-pointers," said Wesleyan junior Takim Williams. "We had a very balanced performance tonight."

Williams, Hudson Price, Andrew Frerking and Shane Smith each had two 3-pointers, and Will Clifton and Ty Teague each buried one. Price nailed his pair on back-to-back trips down the court in the second period to spark a 12-0 run that propelled Wesleyan from a 12-10 deficit to a 22-12 advantage. Wesleyan continued the binge the rest of the period, led 38-18 at the half and was never tested.

"When we take those open 3s, we're a good shooting team," said Wesleyan coach Skip Matherly. "When you have good ball movement and good people movement, you're going to get open looks."

Wesleyan (13-2) had five players score in double figures: Rodney Morris and Frerking with 12, Williams, Price and Smith with 11. Providence (13-3) got 11 from Peter Hage and 10 from Alan Skinner.

"They started to make their shots in the second quarter and we didn't defend," said Providence Christian coach Ivan Iverson. "They were the better team tonight. We didn't come out ready to play on defense. We didn't do a good job guarding the 3-point line."

The first period was very competitive, with Wesleyan holding 10-9 lead. Providence then immediately took 12-10 lead on an old-fashioned three-point play from Hage on its first trip down the court. But that was a false signal of good news for the Stars, who were then outscored 28-6.

"Providence is a rival for us," Williams said. "We've always been in the same region. And it's always good to defend your home court."

The girls game was over before it began. No. 1-ranked Wesleyan (14-2) led 14-2 and never slowed down, leading 29-4 after the first quarter and 54-8 at halftime.

Wesleyan was led by Grace Leah Baughn with 20 points, Kaelyn Causwell with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Jordan Frazier with 12 points and five steals. Providence Christian (7-9) got nine points from senior Stephanie Cailor.

"A lot of our young players got some playing time tonight, so that was good," said Wesleyan coach Jan Azar. "They work hard in practice and they don't get to play that often. So it was good that we could get some of the younger players some varsity experience on a night like this."

Wesleyan plays again on Tuesday at Mt. Pisgah. Providence hosts Pinecrest on Friday.