HYATTSVILLE, Md. — There were plenty of
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) highlights to sift through following its 76-47 rout of rival
Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) on Friday night.
There was a dunk in the second quarter by junior guard
Jairus Lyles that set the tempo, helping push the Stags – ranked No. 25 nationally in this week's Xcellent 25 – to a 26-19 lead. Lyles followed that possession with a crossover and scooping lay-up.
File photo by Lonnie Webb
Jairus Lyles
Up 28-23, guard
James Robinson fed center
BeeJay Anya for a dunk. With time ticking down in the first half, Lyles heaved a half-court buzzer-beater that banked in, giving DeMatha a 33-26 lead.
And that was just the beginning.
The highlights continued to roll in the second half for the Stags until
Jerami Grant capped the night with a final dunk at the 1:15 mark of the fourth quarter.
"We just sent a message throughout the whole WCAC," Lyles said.
But it wasn't just the offense that was spectacular for DeMatha. The Stags applied a great deal of defensive pressure on Gonzaga guard
Nate Britt, who is still recovering from a calf injury that sidelined him for about a month. Britt finished with 21 points but was held to just nine through the first three quarters.
The Eagles were only able to muster three points in the third quarter. Britt recorded Gonzaga's only field goal of the period, which came on a goaltending call.
"We weren't clicking on all cylinders," Gonzaga coach Steve Turner said. "I thought we could've been a little more patient at times. At the end of the day we're going to learn from it. Every game we play is a learning experience."
DeMatha did suffer a setback as Robinson – a Pittsburgh signee – received his second technical foul of the game with just over four minutes remaining in the third, which resulted in his ejection. Lyles stepped into the point guard spot for Robinson without missing a beat.
"He's going to be the point guard next year so it's an early audition, so to speak, to show people he can play off the ball and on the ball," DeMatha coach Mike Jones said.
The Eagles were forced to play aggressive in the fourth quarter, sending DeMatha to the free throw line 22 times. The Stags were able to hit 17 of those 22 free throw attempts in the game's final period.
Grant finished the game with 18 points and six rebounds. Anya had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Lyles also finished with 15 points.
For the Stags (22-3), they were able to even the score against No. 23 Gonzaga (22-3), which won this season's previous meeting 76-74 on Jan. 21.
Gonzaga will look to regroup as it hosts No. 20
Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) on Sunday. Paul VI is unbeaten in conference play at 14-0 with DeMatha (13-2) and Gonzaga (11-3) clinging to slim title hopes.
"We can't sit here and hold our heads down because we have to turn around and play the No. 1 team in our league," Turner said.