For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – The four freshmen players on the Salesianum basketball roster delivered an early Christmas present to the school and its fans on Friday night at Father Birkenheuer Gymnasium. They combined for 41 points in the Sals’ 63-51 win.
It was a sold-out Silent Night at Sallies, with the students dressed in costumes remaining quiet until the home team scores its seventh point. That came when freshman big man Tariq Ingraham put back a rebound, and the gym went crazy as the Sals took a quick 7-5 lead.
The teams traded baskets in the first quarter, with a buzzer-beater giving them a 13-12 lead. After a few early Salesianum field goals, Malvern went on a 10-0 run to take a 23-18 advantage, but the Sals’ Paul Brown ended the streak with a big basket just before the half to cut the deficit to three points at the half.
The second half started with Ingraham blocking shots and hitting the offensive glass for easy putbacks. Malvern was up 37-35 thanks to a few big three-pointers, but that is when the game changed. Freshman Trevon Alderman stole a ball and fed Ingraham for a one-handed throw-down that sent the crowd into a frenzy – and tied the score at 37 at the end of the third.
Ingrham and Alderman took over in the final eight minutes, getting the home team off to a 9-0 start, capped by another Ingraham bucket. Malvern’s first six points of the quarter came at the foul line as they went cold from the field. Alderman went on an eight-point run of his own with an old-fashioned three-point play followed by a three-pointer that stretched the lead to 15.
Salesianum’s free throw shooting prevented a comeback as they took the win.
Ingraham led the 2-1 Sals with 20 points, while Alderman added 15. They are off for 12 days until they meet St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) on Dec. 30 at noon at Widener University in Chester, Pa.
Salesianum students presented a $4,000.00 check to the Sunday Breakfast Mission at halftime and collected additional money from the people in attendance at the game.
