Wiley Wildcats Downs Rust College 87-72

MARSHALL, Texas -- Joshua Hamilton (JR/New Iberia, Louisiana) impressed in his Wiley College debut with 33 points to lift the Wildcats to an 87-72 victory on Homecoming Saturday at Alumni Gymnasium.

For Hamilton, 18 of his 33 points were scored in the first half. He went 12 for 23 from the field including 4 for 8 from 3-point territory, and hit five of six free throw attempts. Hamilton also chimed in three rebounds, two steals and an assist.

"Josh is a kid I coached against in high school and watched him grow up," head coach Jay Smith said. "He did a lot of scoring at his junior college and we brought him here. We expect a lot out of him."

The Wildcats (1-0) fell behind early – trailing by as many as 10. Hamilton hit three straight 3-pointers. A bucket by Jamel Robinson (FR/Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and a 3-pointer by Anthony Sharp II (SR/Dallas, Texas) put Wiley College on the high side. The Wildcats led 41-40 at halftime.

With the score tied at 45 with 17:28 left in the game, Wiley College went on an 11-0 run – which started with a technical foul on Rust College's Deshon Williams. Hamilton made three shots and Jackson hit one during the run.

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Rust College rallied and got within four. The Wildcats outscored the Bearcats 14-3 in the last three-and-a half minutes. Wiley College outshot the Bearcats 45.2 to 42.6 percent. The Wildcats defense forced Rust College into 16 turnovers with six via the steal.

"We missed a lot of defensive assignments early," Smith said. "We stepped away from our press and wanted to be more solid in our half court defense. We did a better job of staying in front of their guys and made them shoot tough contested shots. We did a good job of blocking them out and keeping them from getting offensive rebounds."

Joining Hamilton in double figures was Anthony Sharp with 14 points and 10 assists. He was three rebounds away from a triple double – leading the team with seven. Ashton DeMurrell (JR/Trinidad & Tobago) blocked two shots.

The Wildcats begin a two-game road trip Friday at Tougaloo College. Wiley College will rematch Rust College on November 11.

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