Goldsboro boys pull away in 2nd half

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 29, 2014 11:23 PM

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DUDLEY -- Dwight Smith's blood pressure slowly returned to normal as Southern Wayne stayed within striking distance in the third quarter Friday evening.

He may have needed a nurse once the game end.

Sitting in his office after the game, Smith leaned forward in his chair and adamantly said the outcome rested on two factors -- turnovers and rebounds. Goldsboro capitalized on the miscues and crashed the boards at the right time during its 79-66, non-conference victory before a standing-room-only crowd.

"We can't have turnovers against a good team like that because they make you pay at the other end," Smith said. "They're a very aggressive team. We did match their intensity and I'm proud of my guys for that, but they didn't quit.

"(It was) just the mental mistakes."

The Saints (0-4 overall) entered halftime down by 10, but closed the gap to four points on four occasions. Shamar Faison asserted himself on the boards (seven rebounds) and dropped in four points along with teammate Marquail Roddick.

Artis' basket on Tyrique Tyson's assist started a 13-3 run that carried over into the fourth quarter. Southern Wayne pulled to within 61-51, but couldn't get any closer as Goldsboro (2-0) pulled away at the free throw line.

The Cougars drained 8 of 9 attempts and finished 23 of 30 for the game. The teams combined for 49 fouls, including a double technical, and 59 free throw attempts.

Myron Carmon led Goldsboro's offense with a game-high 27 points, including 12 from behind the 3-point arc. Jaylin Thomas contributed a double-double -- 16 points, 10 rebounds. Artis knocked down 10 points, including eight from the free throw line.

"Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy," GHS head coach Russell Stephens said of his team's inability to establish a consistent offensive flow when he called upon subs to rest his starters.

"Our backcourt played well tonight. Ronnie Tookes (five points, four rebounds) came off the bench and gave us some energy, which I thought was good. We kept the ball in Myron and Artis' hand, and when we do that we are a very good team."

Tyaire Allen had 18 points for the Saints.