By Dylan Branscome
January 4, 2025 – The Davidson-Davie STORM win another close Top 25 match-up against the #20 Henry Ford College Hawks, 96-92, at Brinkley Gym on Friday night to improve to 14-1 on the season.
Davidson was by Ethan English (20 points) and another double-double for Lamonte Cousar (17 points, 10 rebounds), while also shooting 49% as a team.
The game stayed very back and forth for the first half, as both teams shot around the same percentage from the field to keep up with each other. However, Davidson was able to get some distance after some good stops on defense and efficient shot-making on offense.
The second half is when the STORM created a huge separation. At one point, Davidson had a 25-3 run and they were up as much as 63-41 in the second half, making it seem like an easy win.
But if basketball teaches anything, it’s that no lead is safe in today’s game. The Hawks shot amazingly in the second half from three (50%), and Shermarion Hardy’s efficient shot-making got Henry Ford back into the game.
“Those kids over there played their butts off,” head coach Matt Ridge said post-game. “They didn’t quit, they were down 20 and cut it all the way down to two. Number 3 (Hardy) was absolutely incredible. He’s quick as lighting, and we didn’t do a very good job of guarding him.”
Once the Hawks were back in it, it was back and forth the rest of the way. The close game obviously made for some very dramatic sequences down the stretch. English scored a huge and-one layup to go up 5 with one minute to go and also made two free throws with six seconds to go to give the STORM a four-point lead.
“He is a warrior,” Ridge said. “Kid’s been here for three years. So proud of that young man, he’s used this as a vehicle to turn his life around, and his best basketball is still ahead of him.”
Aden Taylor also made sure to seal the game away with two free throws of his own to give Davidson the four-point lead again but with under two seconds to go.
Although the STORM struggled from three (23%), their free throw shooting seemed to be back in early-season form, shooting 75% from the line as a team, which was especially important late in the game.
The STORM returns to conference action on the road against the Central Carolina Cougars in Sanford, NC on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7:00 PM EST.