Wilmington- The Cardinals and Steelers weren’t the only teams winning games on Sunday.  If you were too focused on football, then you might have missed another conference slugfest ending in a third straight Sea Dawg victory at the Schwartz Center.In a game with multiple lead changes, the Sea Dawgs (3-2) outlasted the Stampede 103-95.

Wilmington lost their season opener to Buffalo on January 3rd by three points, after holding an early 25 point lead.  After a similar start to this game, the Dawgs started the game with a 9-0 run, but found themselves down by eight at the half.

Cedric McGinnis, who led the Sea Dawgs with 29 points and 5 rebounds, had that loss all too fresh in his mind.

“Coach (Kuhl) reminded us that we had a 25 point lead and lost by 3,” McGinnis said.  “Once we started playing hard, and playing focused, it’s really hard to beat us, and that’s what we did.”

Buffalo (1-3) was led in scoring by Edmund Rainey with 24 and Lamar Castile with 18.  They battled back from an early deficit in the second quarter, holding Wilmington to only 13 points in the quarter.

First year head coach Dale Kuhl saw his team being outplayed in the second quarter, and once again used halftime to re-energize the Dawgs to take control of the game in the second half.

“We just did not play with enough energy and they (Buffalo) just outworked us and you can’t allow that,” said Kuhl.  “I give the guys a lot of credit.  They picked themselves back up and played hard.  It’s not a magical game.  If you play harder than the other team you are going to win.”

Local product Joe King was instrumental in the comeback, hitting 3 very important three pointers in the third stanza.  Brian Leggett also proved to be a much needed spark off the bench, scoring timely baskets, and locking down Buffalo’s post players defensively.  He contributed 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in the contest.

“I just try to play within the rhythm of the offense,” said Leggett.  “And if coach wants me to go in and play good defense, then that’s what I do.  I just want to do my job.”

It was an all around team effort for the Dawgs, with 6 players scoring in double figures.  Alex Harper had 18, Joe King added 13, and Jermaine Williams scored 11 points.  Kadiri Richard chipped in 4 blocks, and had his fair share of thunderous putbacks and jams, his specialty.

The Sea Dawgs finish off their home stand on Sunday, January 25th, before return games at Buffalo and at Rochester.  The team is currently in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Augusta (3-1).

-Courtesy Wilmington Sea Dawgs