By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
CHOCOWINITY — Roanoke had no problem shaking off the rust from its first-round bye in the Atlantic Conference Tournament on Wednesday as the No. 1 seeded Redskins (23-2) rolled over No. 5 Northside 89-57.
Dyquail Lloyd dominated the Panthers (3-19) as the athletic post player put up a game-high 28 points by scoring on a variety of low post moves and tough-angle jumpers.
Redskins’ coach Darryl Pittman said he was proud of the way his team stepped up on Wednesday.
Roanoke’s defense looked sharp for most of the game. The Skins’ three-quarter press silenced the Panthers’ offense for every quarter with the exception of the second when Northside scored 19 points.
The Redskins’ offense was equally, if not more impressive than its defense.
Roanoke ran the fastbreak to perfection and exhibited patience in its halfcourt sets.
While Lloyd’s 28 points led the squad, it was the Redskins’ balanced attack that stymied the Panthers’ zone.
Roanoke featured four players with over 10 points, had nine players in the scoring column and scored over 20 points per quarter.
The Redskins’ solid interior passing and willingness to find the open man led to Alonza Higgs scoring 16 points, while Kenneth Hyman and Justin Green put up 12 each.
While Roanoke was clicking on all cylinders, Northside coach Mike Proctor felt his Panthers were missing their bite.
Proctor said he would have liked to see his team go out fighting.
One player who showed a solid effort was Calvin Cox, who led the Panthers with 15 points.
Roanoke will swing back into action on Friday when it plays for the Atlantic Conference championship against the winner of today’s matchup between Williamston and Plymouth.
Northside 11 19 12 15 — 57
Roanoke 19 23 20 27 — 89
Northside (57)
Calvin Cox 15, Slade 6, Dontae Dixon 10, Martin 6, Simmons 7, O’Neal 4, Daniels 2.
Roanoke (89)
Dyquail Lloyd 28, Kenneth Hyman 12, Alonzo Higgs 16, Justin Green 12, Griffin 4, Higgs 8, Taylor 4, Powell 3, Moore 2.