SPORTS

DAVIDSON, N.C. – It’d been more than five decades since the Davidson Wildcats had met a non-conference foe in consecutive games, so that provided coach Bob McKillop‘s team with a unique opportunity Saturday in Belk Arena.

After earning a 12-point win over Northeastern on the third day of the Charleston Classic Nov. 18, the Wildcats were up to the challenge in the rematch and earned a 78-69 victory over the Huskies.

“When you play a game without any (opponent) in between, that makes it a little more challenging, particularly when you were the winner in the first one,” said McKillop. 

Sophomore guard Kellan Grady scored a season-high 30 points to lead Davidson, which stretched its 41-32 halftime lead to as many as 14 points early in the second half and improved to 5-1.

“We’re 5-1, and we are thrilled to be 5-1,” said McKillop, fresh off coaching his 900th game at Davidson.

McKillop is pleased with the results so far this season but said his team needs to continue to improve and progress. Specifically, he wants to see five players playing as a unit, where everyone plays in synch. That was missing at times Saturday.

“It’s part of our youth, part of our wanting to win so badly and we’ve improved, but we’ve got a lot of work (to do) in that particular regard,” he said.

Grady scored 15 in each half and finished 11-of-19 from the field for an efficient shooting day. Junior guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson added 16 points, while freshman forward Luka Brajkovic scored 12. Redshirt junior KiShawn Pritchett had a team-high 10 boards.

Northeastern (2-4) was led by guard Jordan Roland, who scored a team-high 23 points. The junior transfer from Atlantic 10 foe George Washington scored 14 of the Huskies’ first 15 points. Northeastern trimmed the Davidson lead to 69-66 with 3:26 to play, but missed its next four shots as the Wildcats closed it out.

Davidson capitalized when it went to the foul line Saturday, converting 85 percent of its free throws (17-of-20).

Up Next
Davidson will host rival Charlotte Tuesday in the annual “Battle for the Hornets’ Nest Trophy” at 7 p.m.