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Malden edges South Pem in homecoming game
MALDEN - Homecoming was sweet Friday when the Green Wave boys basketball program squeaked past the South Pemiscot Bulldogs 70-67.
The champions of the recent Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, Malden traded the lead with South Pemiscot time after time throughout the game.
Malden scored first with 7:28 remaining in the first period and the contest was tied 6-6 thanks to a succession of South Pem free throws with 3:53 left in the first.
A Malden airball with 2:40 remaining resulted in a South Pem rebound and the Green Wave regaining possession of the ball, turning that possession into buckets and a 10-6 score with Malden on top.
South Pem answered and with the score tied 10-10, Malden's Zion Bell drew a foul, sank the second of two free throws and the Green Wave was on top 11-10 with 1:51 remaining in the first period.
After two missed Bulldog's free throws, Malden retained the lead and the Green Wave led 15-12 headed into the second period.
Malden's Quamareous Farmer came out gunning in the second and drew first blood, 18-12 Malden.
But the Bulldog's toughened up and tied the Green Wave 18-18 by way of a Ty Campbell free throw. Malden replied with two successful free throws and the score became 20-18 Malden with 6:19 left in the half.
The contest progressed and with the game tied 22-22, Malden sank a bucket and went ahead by two, 24-22 with 4:14 remaining to play in the second period.
Malden's Payton Woodard scored 10 seconds later, 26-22 Malden.
The Bulldogs battled back, took advantage of a number of Malden turnovers and with 1:10 left in the first half led the Green Wave by five, 33-28.
Malden's Tristin Moncrief sank a nice jumper with 44 seconds left on the second-period clock and the score was 33-30 South Pem.
Malden trailed at the half 37-32.
After a South Pem goal, the Green Wave's 6'5" center Marcus Burton fired and with 7:33 left in the third period sank a bucket, 39-34 South Pem.
The score tied 41-41 with 5:10 left in the third, Malden's Payton Woodard scored two with a nice layup, and Malden led 43-41.
With 55 seconds left on the third-period timer Malden's Moncrief slammed in a goal for two, 54-45 and was answered by South Pem, 54-47.
Malden led 56-48 with the last period looming.
In the opening minutes of the final period, Moncrief drew a foul and sank two for Malden 62-52 with 5:10 remaining in the game.
With 3:43 left to play and Malden up 64-57 the game progressed and with 1:27 remaining the Green Wave led the Bulldogs 68-63.
South Pem continued to bring fire and brought the score to 68-67 Malden. Malden's Kylen Wright, with an injury just under his left eye patched, stepped to the free-throw line and with 18 seconds and a few substitutions for both teams, delivered on two foul shots and Malden pulled ahead 70-67.
Both teams paused for time outs and play resumed with three seconds left on the clock.
After a number of attempts under the board, the Bulldogs were unable to score but drew a foul with one second left to play.
The Bulldogs failed to score and Malden won its Homecoming game 70-67.
Despite what became a 10-2 season, Green Wave Head Coach Mike Kilgore was less than pleased with his team's performance.
"We didn't handle pressure too well," Coach Kilgore said. "Coming off big wins in Bloomfield, tonight, I'm just glad it's over.
"The team just needs to be ready to play," he continued. "There's nothing else I can do. We have to go out on the court and play basketball. We're going to stay healthy and work on one game at a time."
Malden started Payton Woodard, Quamareous Farmer, Tylyne Mathies, Tristin Moncrief and Marcus Burton.
South Pem started Ty Campbell, Robert Farmer, Torrell Boyd, Jadie Morton and Jaterion Smith.