WILMINGTON – Wilmington Friends, coming off a win over Independent Conference heavyweight and third-ranked St. Andrew's last Saturday and a win in the Concord Classic on Monday, looked to avoid a letdown Thursday afternoon at Wilmington Christian. For one quarter, it appeared that the Quakers would have their hands full against Wilmington Christian. But just for one quarter.
Friends overcame a 12-11 deficit at the end of the first stanza and spent the rest of the game showing why they are the fifth-ranked team in the state. The Quakers (10-2) took the lead for good at 17-16 on their way to a 72-49 win in front of a noisy crowd.
Friends' big men were dominant on the boards and scoring inside. Twins Marcus and Malcolm Delpeche, both of whom are 6-6, each scored 11 points and hauled down numerous rebounds on both sides of the court. Three other Quakers – Sam Carney (12), Larenz Thurman (13) and Ryan Broussard (12) – also reached double figures.
Wilmington Christian (9-4), currently the ninth-ranked team in Delaware, showed early in the game that they preferred a run-and-gun style. Friends' size inside resulted in several blocked shots and turnovers, and the Warriors drifted further and further behind as the game progressed. Any doubt about the result was erased in the third quarter, when Friends outscored the Warriors, 23-7.
Wilmington Christian's players seemed a bit out of sorts after halftime, driving more than once into the lane only to lose the ball among the taller visitors. WCS also had nine team fouls in the third quarter alone.
Nathan Hickman led Wilmington Christian with 13 points, 11 of which came from the free-throw line. Jacob Sipala joined him in double figures with 10.
Wilmington Christian looks to end its two-game losing streak Tuesday at 5:30 when a tough Glasgow team visits. Friends will try to avenge one of its two losses Saturday at 1:30 against St. Elizabeth at the St. E Center. The Vikings edged the Quakers, 61-59, on Dec. 17.
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