(Haverford, Pa.) – The Haverford men's basketball team followed suit with its women, starting strong against #14-ranked Dickinson on Saturday afternoon in the Centennial Conference opener. The Red Devils pulled away late, however, for a 75-57 win to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Senior Steve Collins had a great start as well, scoring 15 points in the first half, hitting 7-of-9 attempts, including a three-pointer.
The Red Devils took the early lead on a Gerry Wixted three-pointer but Haverford would stay close and pulled in front on a triple from Walt Plumlee at the 9:17 mark.
Collins hit a three to tie the game at 25 before back-to-back lay-ups and a pair of free throws gave Haverford a 31-25 lead.
Junior Brandon Angradi buried back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game, 31-31, at the break.
The teams traded baskets in the early minutes of the second half. Haverford started to pull in front before back-to-back lay-ups from Wixted tied the game, 40-40, at the 15 minute mark. He then dished a pass inside to first-year Justus Melton to answer a Haverford field-goal on the other end.
The Devils continued to find success, pounding the ball inside, but Haverford was able to keep answering on the offensive end as well.
Anthony Reyes bombed a three to put the hosts in front, 47-44, at the midpoint of the half. Wixted dropped in another lay-up and hit a foul line jumper to give Dickinson the lead.
Wixted was the catalyst for a Red Devil run, sinking a three from the corner and grabbing a rebound on the defensive end. Chris Cox slipped a nice pass underneath to Collins to put Dickinson in front, 53-49.
Reese hit a jumper and Wixted hit a free throw to make the score, 54-51. Collins added a three-pointer from the corner and Wixted followed up with an old fashioned three-point play to stretch the lead to 60-51, with just under five minutes to play.
The Red Devils took control from that point, extending the lead to the final margin of 18. They hit 11-of-12 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Collins led the way with a game-high 25 points, hitting 11-of-14 shots and controlling seven rebounds. Wixted tallied 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists, going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
Angradi finished with 10 points while Ted Hinnenkamp hit 4-of-6 field-goals for nine points and handed out six assists on the afternoon.
Justin Winkler and Lucas Columbo each scored 12 points to lead Haverford as they fall to 11 on the year. Both teams shot identical 14-of-19 from the free throw line.
The Red Devils improve to 3-0 and 1-0 in the Centennial Conference. They return home to face Gettysburg on Tuesday. They tip-off after the women's game at approximately 8:00 pm.