Earl Austin Jr: Billikids get tough to outlast Duquesne 69-59

Billikids get tough to outlast Duquesne 69-59
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Earl  Austin on 12/03/2010 16:43:00
 
IN WINNING THOSE GAMES, THE DUKES HAD EMPLOYED A SWASHBUCKLING FULL-COURT
PRESSURE DEFENSE THAT HAD SOME ELEMENTS OF FULL-CONTACT KARATE MIXED IN WITH
QUICKNESS AND ATHLETICISM. IT WAS A TOUGH, PHYSICAL CHALLENGE THAT REALLY PUT
THE KIDS TO THE TEST.
However, when the going gets tough, you simply turn to your toughest competitor
Kwamain Mitchell and your resident enforcer Brian Conklin to lead the way. That
was what happened as both sophomores enjoyed sparkling efforts in leading the
Bills to this victory.
Kwamain was special again with a game-high 23 points, six rebounds and three
assists. With the Billikens trailing 45-42 in the second half and the offense
gone completely stagnant, Kwamain came through with another flurry of big plays
to forge the Billikens to a lead that they would not relinquish. Kwamain scored
15 points in the second half, including seven in that crucial two-minute stretch
that brought the Bills back in front.
The physical nature of the game was right up Brian’s alley as he responded
with 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds in 19 minutes of action off the
bench. As a bonus, the “Eugene Enforcer” made all six of his free throw
attempts. As a team, we hit 18 of 26 from the charity stripe, which is not
great, but much better than we normally shoot as a team. Brian had everything to
do with that. His toughness and energy really allowed us to battle the Dukes on
even terms.
We had two more players score in double figures as Willie Reed and Cody Ellis
each scored 10 points. Willie also had four rebounds and four spectacular
blocks. Kyle Cassity was stellar again with eight points, six rebounds and a
team-high six assists and only one turnover.
In the bang-for-your-buck category, freshman Jon Smith came in and blocked three
shots in only seven minutes of action.
Once again, the ball movement and passing was evident as we had 21 field goals,
which 17 of them being assisted. I also loved how we rebounded as a team. After
being manhandled by Xavier on the boards, we came back to out-rebound Duquesne
34-25. Everyone got into on the act as guards, forwards and centers all took
their turns on the boards. In the first meeting in Pittsuburgh, the Dukes
scoured the glass for 23 offensive rebounds. We held them to six on Saturday
night as we displayed some textbook blocking out at times.
It was a great bounce-back win after such a tough loss to Xavier. With
Charlotte’s loss at St. Bonaventure, we are now back in fourth place in the
league at 10-5 with Charlotte one game behind at 9-5.
It means that we now control our own destiny in terms of getting a first-round
bye in the conference torunament and the straight pass to Atlantic City. We have
another formidable challenge on the horizon as No. 20 Temple comes to the house
on Wednesday night.
The Owls are on the prowl for another A-10 title as they come into Wednesday’s
contest tied for first with Xavier at 12-2. They have an outstanding backcourt,
led by 6’4” senior Ryan Brooks and 6’4” sophomore Juan Fernandez, an
Argentinian shooting phenom who has hit seven 3-pointers in a game twice this
season. Junior Lavoy Allen is one of the top big men in the league.
It should be a great challenge, so I’m looking forward to a full house ready
to go for our last regular-season home game.
I’ll see you all there.
Go Bills!