Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

When Toto pulls the curtain back in the Wizard of Oz, the man talks into the microphone and says, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”

When looking at the Africentric Nubians play basketball, pay no attention to the 2-5 record.

The Nubians had lost several close games against a tough schedule and they showed why they were better than their record with a 72-35 win over the Ironton Fighting Tigers Saturday in the Ironton Classic.

The Nubians hit 31-of-55 shots for 56 percent and Akil Cornis scored 23 points to lead the win. Jaquan Harrison had 13 points and 8 rebounds, Houston Smith 10 points and Ulmer Mazie 9 points and 12 rebounds.

Ironton (0-5) — continuing its grueling schedule — shot just 15-of-50 for 30 percent. Tristan Cox had 11 points and Nate Garred scored 8 points. Isaac Sherman grabbed 5 rebounds and Desmond Young 4.

The Fighting Tigers were able to hit some shots early and trailed jut 9-6 midway through the first quarter.

The Nubians went on a 9-0 run before Cox hit a trifecta at the 1:37 mark and Sherman followed with a layup to cut the deficit to 18-11.

Cornis — who made five 3-pointers — hit a triple at the buzzer and it was 21-11.

Africentric pulled away to a 32-11 lead on a 3-pointer by Harrison. Ironton finally ended the scoring draught when Young made a layup at the 2:33 mark.

But the Nubians scored 12 unanswered points to end the half and it was 44-13.

Ironton played more aggressive in the second half and cut the spread to 53-24 with 2:38 left in the third quarter on a trey by Cox. Garred’s 15-footer to end the quarter made it 56-26.

Garred’s baseline jumper and a close range basket by Hunter Klaiber had Ironton with 59-35 with 4:02 left, but the Fighting Tigers would get no closer.

Ironton plays Portsmouth Notre Dame at 6:45 p.m. Sunday in the second day of The Classic.

Africentric 21 23 12 16 = 72

Ironton 11 2 13 9 = 35

AFRICENTRIC (3-5): Lorenze Gordon-Haynes 0 0 2-2 2, Houston Smith 5 0 0-2 10, Akil Cornish 4 5 0-1 23, Jaquan Harrison 5 1 0-0 13, Ulmer Manzie 4 0 1-2 9, Dionte Saunders 1 1 0-0 5, A.C. Woods 1 0 0-0 2, Ke’Auntay Monie 2 0 0-2 4, Rondell Clark 1 0 0-0 2, Dyonmarte Bibbins 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 31-55 3-9 72. 3-point goals: 7-16. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 13-OR, 26-DR = 39 (Manzie 12, Harrison 8). Team/deadball rebounds: 6. Assists: 8 (Gordon-Haynes 4). Steals: 7 (Cornish 3). Turnovers: 12.

IRONTON (0-5): Nate Garred 4 0 0-0 8, Lucas Campbell 1 0 0-0 2, Tristan Cox 1 3 0-0 11, Richard Crockrel 0 1 0-0 3, Desmond Young 1 0 1-2 3, Isaac Sherman 3 0 0-0 6, Charles Scott 0 0 0-0 0 Hunter Klaiber 1 0 0-2 2, Joe Matkins 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Ward 0 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Brickey-Scott 0 0 0-0 0, Marques Davis 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-50 1-4 35. 3-point goals: 4-13. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: Young (4th 4:27). Rebounds: 9-OR, 12-DR = 21 (Sherman 5, Young 4). Team/deadball rebounds: 4. Assists: 7 (Campbell 2, Crockrel 2). Steals: 5 (Young 2, Garred 2). Turnovers: 10.