Smith’s 37 points helps Mullins top Wilson

Wilson’s 21-point win at home over Mullins Dec. 16 was the squad’s first regular season loss in 29 games. Wednesday night, the Aucs returned the favor knocking off Wilson, winners of 13 straight games, by a score of 69-65.
“This is why we scheduled Wilson,” Mullins Head Coach Mark Gerald said. “It was a playoff atmosphere, and we got down, but we told the kids at halftime to play the second half like it was a playoff.”
Point guard Eric Smith led all scorers with 37 points, turning the game around with four consecutive free throws made with 1:13 remaining in the game to give Mullins a 61-58 lead, after being down by three points at the two minute mark. A personal foul and added technical foul call doomed the Tigers at a pivotal moment. Once the Aucs took possession, Darnell Coleman passed the basketball to Greg Nelson for a spot-up jumper that sunk through the bottom of the net. Smith maintained his poise by nailing four more shots from the charity stripe to secure the victory.
“We didn’t quit, and once Eric got rolling everybody knew to get him the ball, and he hit some pressure free throws,” Gerald said, adding that he was proud of his team.
Smith and Stacy Wilson combined for 11 points, as Mullins took a 14-9 lead in the opening quarter. Alan Michael Thompson’s 23-point barrage was a fierce competitor with nine points in the second quarter, highlighted by a spectacular tomahawk dunk to even the score 20-20 at the 4:20 mark, and taking the lead with a lay-up in transition.
However, Mullins erased the past mistakes of getting beat for loose balls, and being caught flat-footed defending the fast break. Smith’s dribble penetration and relentless attack to the basket was tough to defend, as he scored 15 points in the first half. Forward B.J. Crawford’s four offensive rebounds in the quarter help the squad with critical second chance points in taking a 33-32 halftime lead.
Mullins built a 41-34, advantage midway through the third period, thanks to the creative playmaking from Wilson, who scored a basket while falling flat on his back. The low post scoring of Taheem Gibson, brought the Tigers back in the final seconds, giving the team a 44-43 lead heading into the final quarter.
Wilson maintained a three-point advantage until Smith scored on a drive through the lane, and then followed with an offensive rebound for a score from Coleman, setting a 49-48 score with 6:10 remaining.
A steal from Shamel Brackett, punctuated with a slam dunk, reclaimed the Tigers lead; and Trevonte Dixon’s bucket gave the squad a 56-52 lead at the 3:55 mark.
However, Smith answered with a three pointer from the top of the key, and a put back to keep the Aucs within striking distance.
A late game steal from Donte Cooper led to a crucial Aucs possession with under a minute and a half remaining, resulting in a personal foul and technical to follow. The end result would be Smith’s demoralizing points from behind the free throw the line, and Aucs forward Seqwan McFarland’s savvy defense, drawing the offensive foul in the final seconds.
“Wilson is a great team that plays an offense fit for the team that they have. It’s hard to cover their shooters,” Gerald said.
Stacy Wilson added 14 points for Mullins along with six points from Crawford, and five points from Coleman.
Brackett paced Wilson with 16 points, followed by Dixon with 13 points.
Mullins will host Cheraw Jan. 13. Wilson will host Lakewood Jan. 9.