Men's Basketball Opens Conference Play with Win Over Viterbo

LaCROSSE, WI – In the first game of NSAA conference play, the Waldorf men's basketball team took on the Viterbo V-Hawks on Wednesday evening. The Warriors won 86-70 over the V-Hawks.

"I'm really proud of our gusy with the way we executed the game plan today. We played really well on the defensive side, and it was the most complete game of the year," Head Coach Nigel Jenkins said. "We had a tough non-conference schedule to help us get ready for conference play and I think it helped a lot today."

1^st Half: The Warriors opened the game with an 8-0 run. A made three-pointer from Kaelon Harkema (JR/Louisville, KY) gave the Warriors a 17-6 lead with 12 minutes left in the half. Ego Ejiofor (JR/Dallas, TX) grabbed a defensive rebound and transitioned into a dunk. 

Khalil Grayson (JR/Milwaukee, WI) scored five straight points. Noah Miller (JR/Forest City, IA) made two three-pointers and Harkema made a jump shot to keep the lead at the half. The Warriors were up 39-23.

"My staff did an outstanding job getting the guys ready to play today in my absence the past 5 days," stated Jenkins. "Coach Martin and Coach Ackerman deserve all the credit for tonight's performance."

2^nd Half: The V-Hawks started out by scoring four points. Harkema grabbed an offensive rebound and Ejiofor put it back up for two points. Miller drained another three in transition, assisted by Khyle Washington (SR/Atlanta, GA). 

The Warriors went on an 11-0 run that consisted of Harkema forcing a V-Hawk turnover with a steal which then turned into a dunk and Grayson drained a three. Waldorf maintained their lead throughout the half. Washington made a three-pointer with four minutes left. Ejiofor closed out the game with a dunk. The Warriors won 86-70.

Ejiofor finished with a double-double of 27 points and 14 rebounds, with 2 assists and 2 blocks. Ejiofor went 12-15 from the field. Washington also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Miller added 18 points, going 4-5 from three-point and 4-4 from the free-throw line, and had 3 assists. Harkema finished with a team high of 9 assists and tallied 12 points and 2 steals. Grayson had 14 points and 4 assists. 

Jenkins added, "Now we have to get back to work to get ready for a really tough team in Mayville State on Saturday."

The men's basketball team will be back on the road for a conference matchup against Mayville State on Saturday, January 13^th. Tipoff is at 5 pm.