CLEVELAND – Senior Dwight Johnson recorded a three-point play with nine seconds remaining to lift the Wilmington College men's basketball team to the 83-81 victory over SUNY Geneseo Friday in the opening game of the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Memorial Tournament hosted by Case Western Reserve.
After sophomore Law Williams (Dayton, OH/Thurgood Marshall) pulled Wilmington to within one with 45 seconds remaining, senior R.J. Leppert's (Liberty Township, OH/Lakota East) steal with 13 seconds later set up Johnson's heroics.
After the initial play called during the timeout was shut off, Wilmington's crisp ball movement allowed Johnson (Dayton, OH/Jefferson) a clean driving lane to the basket, he converted and was foul. He made the free throw pushing the lead to two.
"It was a gutsy play and a gutsy team performance," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "It was an up-and-down game. It was fun to watch, but not so fun to coach."
Sophomore John Righter (Pataskala, OH/Licking Heights) and freshman Roemello Reeves (Dayton, OH/Spring Valley Academy) scored all nine of Wilmington's points as the Fightin' Quakers took a 10-point lead late in the first half. The lead was pushed to 12 early in the second half.
The Knights stalked WC down, outscoring the Fightin' Quakers 19-7 to pull even midway through the final 20 minutes.
"We kind of letdown," said Hunt. "We couldn't get enough stops and we struggled guarding the ball. But to our kids' credit we competed and were able to pull it out. We are playing our butts off, and it's fun to see."
The lead continued to change hands over the final 10 minutes with neither team having more than a two-point advantage, and Johnson was able to seal the deal.
Johnson led the way with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting with three assists and two rebounds. Leppert added 15 points and a team-high five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Senior Ben McGriff (Beavercreek, OH/Beavercreek) added 12 points for Wilmington.
Wilmington (1-1) plays host Case Western Reserve for the tournament championship 7 p.m. Saturday.