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Nothing like a 31-point smackdown to get you motivated.
That was certainly the case for Steele, which prevailed at home against Wagner 58-54 in a back-and-forth game on Friday night.
The Knights avenged a 81-50 loss at Wagner on Jan. 17.
“Any time you lose by 30 points, it’s a slap in the face,” Steele coach Lonny Hubbard said. “(Wagner) did a great job (last time). It kind of wakes you up. We’ve woken up since then.”
Hubbard was most pleased with the fact the Knights held Wagner to 27 fewer points than their previous meeting.
“We knew we had to stop fast-break points because that’s where they killed us last time,” Steele junior forward Jayden Martinez said. “And we had to start boxing out down low. We knew we could do the rest on our own.”
Top-ranked Wagner (29-2) and No. 2 Steele (23-5) are tied for first in District 27-6A with one game remaining in the regular season. Getting a chance to win district is a goal for Steele, but after advancing to the state tournament last year, they have grander things in mind.
“We look at the big picture,” Hubbard said. “Yes, it’s a big win, but we’re trying to get hot at the right time. District is great, but we have bigger aspirations.”
Steele and Wagner traded leads 14 times.
The Thunderbirds led 28-26 at halftime.
Martinez scored seven of his 11 points in the first four minutes of the third quarter for the Knights, who took a 37-34 lead.
Wagner trailed 43-40 heading into the fourth quarter. The Thunderbirds opened the fourth with a 7-2 run capped by a 3-point play from Jelen Hanspard.
Steele answered with a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 54-47 lead at the 3:18 mark. Troy Higgins knocked down a big three from the left corner during the run.
Wagner didn’t get closer than four after that. The Thunderbirds made 5 of 10 free throws in the final 2:47.
Junior Gerald Liddell led the Knights with 15 points. Kolbe Littlefield had 12.
Baylor-signee Tristan Clark was held to five points in the second half and finished with 17 for Wagner.
“It’s all about that confidence,” Hubbard said. “The more confidence you have going in the playoffs, the better you are. We’re feeling pretty confident right now.”
dhinojosa@express-news.net
Twitter: @hinojosa_david
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