John Wright, business management technology freshman, soars over kinesiology sophomore Clifford Wallace for 2 points Wednesday. Daniel Arguelles
NVC wins rivalry game against SPC.
Michael Peters
mpeters28@student.alamo.edu
In a highly anticipated matchup of rival squads, the Northwest Vista Wildcats claimed victory over the St. Philip’s Tigers by a score of 66-57 Wednesday night in St. Philip’s health and fitness center.
Two seasons ago, a regular season defeat to the Tigers prevented the Wildcats from advancing to the playoffs. Last season, the Wildcats qualified for the playoffs only to suffer elimination from the Tigers.
The Wildcats ensured they got off to a good start this season by controlling the Tigers from start to finish in enemy territory. The Wildcats won the battle, but only time will tell if they win the war as it could turn out the paths of the Wildcats and Tigers may cross again in the postseason.
The first half was back and forth, with neither team gaining too much separation on the scoreboard. The Wildcats held a 29-21 advantage going into the break thanks to holding criminal justice sophomore Mark Anthony, the Tigers’ star player, to just 1 point for the half.
Civil engineering sophomore Joe Uribe gave the Tigers trouble all night as he showed the ability to drive to the hoop, dish to his teammates and score from the outside on his way to racking up 18 points for the Wildcats.
Criminal justice sophomore Jeff Lindsey added 12 points while criminal justice freshman Alan Del Valle contributed timely 3-pointers to the Wildcats’ cause.
Sloppy play by St. Philip’s resulted in the Wildcats extending their lead to as much as 13 points early in the second half.
Each time St. Philip’s pulled within single digits, the raucous home crowd went wild only for the run to be doused by the Wildcats.
The Tigers committed nine turnovers in the second half and 16 for the game, which, combined with shooting 17 for 30 from the free-throw line, limited their ability to complete the comeback.
Anthony gave a valiant effort, scoring 15 points in the second half and was visibly frustrated as the seconds ticked down.
The next opponent for the Tigers will be the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals at 8 p.m. Wednesday at McDermott Center.
The Wildcats face this college’s men’s basketball team at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Gym 1 of Candler Physical Education Center.
