By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Keyon Concepcion scored 13 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter including a personal decisive run as World of Inquiry defeated NE Douglass 63-51 in RCAC action, Friday night.
Concepcion netted nine straight points to give the Griffins a lead they did not surrender at 58-51.
“I’ve been yelling at Keyon since the season started to be more aggressive,” first-year head coach Willie Mason said. “He had to be. Today, he told me ‘coach, I’ll get you your first win. I got you.’ He showed me. He came through for me.”
Trailing 51-49, Concepcion knotted the game with an and-one. On the next possession, the sophomore guard took advantage of a second-chance opportunity for a 53-51 lead. Next trip down the floor he finished a layup before connecting on his second 3-pointer of the fourth quarter for a 58-51 advantage with 2:53 remaining in the game.
Keyon Concepcion floater and a 53-51 World of Inquiry lead. pic.twitter.com/xpj6DH3sxN
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021
“I told my guys to attack the basket,” Mason said of the message he delivered during a fourth-quarter timeout. “We can do a high screen pick-and-roll. That’s when Keyon became a big part of our offense.”
In a game in which neither team held a double-digit lead through the first 31 minutes of action, the teams traded leads midway through the fourth before World of Inquiry pulled away.
“The game was getting away from us, mentally,” Mason said of the discussion between the third and fourth quarters. “I told my guys to slow down and reset.”
NE Douglass opened the game with a 10-2 for its largest lead of the night. Chrishton Wester started the scoring with a three. Wilson Riaa followed with back-to-back buckets on assists from Chris James. Wester hit a floater in the lane, and Riaa converted one of two free throws for the eight-point advantage.
— Section V Boys Basketball (@SecVBBasketball) December 17, 2021
World of Inquiry’s Jalen Breedy used a drop step in the lane for two and hit a free throw to jump start the Griffins.
Keyon Concepcion hits the jumper for a 36-33 World of Inquiry lead early in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/pg8F2egbnN
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021
Ronald Nunnally, Jr. opened the second quarter with a drive in the lane and two of his 14 points on the night to cut the deficit to one at 12-11. Christian Ortiz connected from behind the 3-point arc for WOI’s first lead of the night at 15-12.
Rodney Nunnally Jr. gets ahead of the defense for a 49-45 World of Inquiry lead. pic.twitter.com/fjxJLUCw9X
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021
World of Inquiry led 30-29 at half and 44-42 heading into the fourth quarter when Concepcion beat the buzzer with a layup.
Keyon Concepcion beats the buzzer. Heading to the 4th: World of Inquiry 44 NE Douglass 42 pic.twitter.com/lzxzOztRSi
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021
Jaedon Adams-Griffin scored 10 for WOI. Breedy had nine, and Toney Henton, two.
Riaa scored 15 points to lead NE Douglass (1-3). Wester had 12 points and James 10. Loren Thomas accounted for nine points. Roberto Echevarria (3) and Kari Thomas rounded out the scoring for the Panthers.
Chris James stretches the D. NE Douglass 26-23. pic.twitter.com/dVfNZYcyBL
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 18, 2021
The win was the first in his career for Mason although the Griffins (2-3) were credited with a win via forfeit earlier in the season.
The same two teams meet again on January 21st at School No. 33.
World of Inquiry hosts Wilson Magnet next Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. start time.
NE Douglass travels to play at Early College on Wednesday.
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