BECKLEY, W.Va. — Woodrow Wilson used a 9-0 first quarter run to take a lead they would never relinquish as the Flying Eagles defeated George Washington 58-50 Saturday afternoon at the Raleigh County Convention Center.
Beckley (3-6) has shuffled their lineup numerous times in the first half of the regular season but they put all the pieces together in handing the Patriots (7-1) their first loss of the season.
“Anytime you beat GW and Coach (Rick) Greene, it is a great feeling for your program. They are so well-coached. Greene smiles and is very intense. He is like a coach that will put a dagger in you but he smiles,” said Beckley head coach Ron Kidd. “He is a competitor and that makes us more competitive against them.”
Beckley jumped out to a 14-2 first quarter lead and they were up four at the end of the opening eight minutes, 14-10.
“We went to a little bit more pressure. We went to our 12-press and that got us going a little bit. I don’t think they expected that but it got us going.”
The Flying Eagles extended their lead to 33-21 at halftime. Beckley took their largest lead of the game, 40-24 midway through the third quarter before GW scored the final eight points in the frame to make it 40-32.
The Patriots crept within six points at the 5-minute mark but the Flying Eagles held on down the stretch.
Ben Gilliam led Beckley with 14 points while Maddex McMillen added 10. Alex Yoakum led GW with 33 points.