Dialog reporter
ALAPOCAS – An 11-2 run spanning the end of the first half and the beginning of the second turned a seven-point deficit into a two-point lead for Wilmington Friends, which went on to defeat Archmere, 43-37, in nonconference boys basketball Saturday afternoon in Alapocas.
The Quakers were led by their big forwards, junior Jordan Perkins and senior Quinn Fitzpatrick. Perkins had nine first-half points on his way to a game-high 16. Fitzpatrick used his size, particularly in the second half, to get inside shot attempts, and when he wasn’t successful in making field goals, he was being fouled. Fitzpatrick hit five of six free throws in the third quarter, when the Quakers scored seven of their nine points from the charity stripe.
The numerous Archmere fouls put Friends into the double bonus before the third quarter ended, and the Quakers’ parade to the free throw line continued in the fourth. They converted 10 of 16 in the final stanza to stifle the Auks’ comeback bid.
A putback by Fitzpatrick early in the fourth gave Friends its largest lead of the afternoon at 31-24, but Archmere’s half-court press started causing problems after that. The Auks bounced back, and when Nick Udovich followed a teammate’s missed shot with a short jumper, they were within 37-35.
Archmere had a chance to tie the game at 40 on consecutive possessions in the final 30 seconds, but they could not find the range from three. Justin Beneck hit a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession game, and the Auks could not complete the comeback.
Fitzpatrick had 11 for the Quakers, who improved to 1-1. The team is back in action on Dec. 29 in the Quaker Classic on its home floor.
Eight players scored for Archmere (1-1), with Udovich leading the way with nine. The Auks return home on Tuesday, when Diamond State Athletic Conference foe Conrad visits for a 6:15 p.m. tip.
