SPORTS

 

The Hornets’ Nest Trophy will stay in Davidson for another year.

The Davidson Wildcats secured their sixth straight win over county foe Charlotte – and, with it, rights to the rivalry’s bronzed trophy – Tuesday in Belk Arena, downing the 49ers 76-56.

“That crosstown rivalry feeling, you can definitely feel it in the game,” said Davidson guard Kellan Grady, who scored a game-high 25 points.

The Wildcats (6-1) were efficient offensively, beginning with sophomore Grady, who shot 9-of-14 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Davidson had 16 assists to eight turnovers and a 32-14 scoring advantage in the paint.

Junior guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson had a team-leading 10 rebounds and scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, as the Wildcats shot 51.9 percent from the floor and hit all 10 of their free throws. Gudmundsson was also tasked with guarding Charlotte’s leading scorer, senior Jon Davis, who led the 49ers with 16 points, five below his average.

Davidson made a concerted effort to get the ball in the post to Austrian freshman Luka Brajkovic, who scored 12 points, converted four of five shots and hit all four of his free throws.

“I thought throwing it into Luka was a real key part of the game,” said Davidson coach Bob McKillop. “He is a target, he catches everything, he finishes almost everything and he’s very unselfish and willing to pass it out and find the open man.”

Davidson got ahead early, led 35-27 at the intermission and stretched its lead to as many as 24 in the second half while improving to 8-8 against Charlotte (2-3) at home.

McKillop said he liked the confidence and trust he saw from his team throughout the night.

“We were more connected and linked tonight,” he said.

Up Next
Davidson travels to UNC Wilmington Saturday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.