By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
A breakout game by senior guard Quintin Williams helped Wyoming to a big win as the host Wolves defeated Holland 72-54 in OK Green action Tuesday evening.
Williams erupted for a season-high 27 points to pace the Wyoming offense as the Wolves came on strong in the second half to earn their second win in the last three games. Williams had a previous high-scoring game of 17 points this season, but against Holland, Williams filled the scorebook with buckets as he attacked the basket off the dribble.
“I tried to get to the rim,” Williams said. “I feel that I was checking up too much before. Tonight, I tried to get to the basket consistently.”
Williams turned in a consistent offensive performance against Holland as he scored seven points in the first quarter, seven points in the second quarter and finished the game strong with 11 points in the final quarter.
“Quintin did a nice job of controlling the ball,” said Wyoming Coach Thom Vander Klay. “He did a nice job of getting to the rim and pulling up when it wasn’t there. I think he was a little pumped up early, but he settled down and did a nice job.”
Williams had plenty of help both on offense and on the defensive end as the Wolves needed a total-team effort to overcome some early foul trouble that kept the game tight in the early going.
Wyoming led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter. The Wolves led throughout the second quarter and a three-point play on a drive to the hoop at the end of the first half by Williams gave Wyoming a 34-27 halftime lead.
“I thought that our kids off the bench did a great job,” Vander Klay said. “We had a little bit of foul trouble in the first half and we needed a lot of kids to come off the bench. They gave us some quality minutes and played their roles really well.”
Wyoming began to take command of the game during the second half. The Wolves outscored Holland 7-3 to start the second half and take a 41-30 lead. Some stingy defense also was key for the Wolves during the third quarter as the Wyoming defense limited Holland to eight total points in the third quarter. Wyoming protected the double-digit lead it built and went into the final quarter leading 46-35.
A 7-0 run to start the fourth gave the Wolves some breathing room. The run was capped by a three-point shot by Maxi Morales that put Wyoming up 53-35.
Holland cut the Wyoming advantage to 55-41 midway through the fourth quarter before the Wolves put the game on ice with an 8-0 run that increased the Wyoming lead to 63-41.
“This was a big win for us,” Williams said. “We’ve had an up and down season and this win can help turn our season around.”
The win improved Wyoming to 3-6 overall for the season and 2-2 in the OK Green.
“We keep getting better and better,” Vander Klay said. “We are getting better, but sometimes the kids are not so sure when you don’t get the wins. I think the kids feel good to get this win.”
Along with 27 from Williams, Wyoming received eight points from Logan Marvin and seven points apiece from Maxi Morales and Alyjah Chandler. Avonte’ Wiggins added six points, while Donavyn Edwards and Warren Williams added five each, Jacob Reeder, three points and Buster Cross and Gage Behrenbrinker, two apiece.
Holland fell to 2-8 overall, 0-4 in the Green. Cameron Ferguson led the Dutch with 12 points.
Wyoming returns to action Friday when it hosts state-ranked Muskegon, which entered play Tuesday at 8-0.
