It was the most lopsided victory in school history as the Bucs pummeled the Warren Wilson College Owls 109-41 Tuesday night in Memorial Center.
The Bucs (3-4) jumped out early as junior shooting guard Dimeco Childress opened the game with a three-point bucket and the score was never close from there.
Freshman Guard Ryan Carson got into the act, nailing back-to-back threes about halfway through the first half as the Bucs went up by as many as 43 points before intermission.
The Bucs ended the first half with a thunderous dunk at the buzzer by freshman forward Jerald Fields putting them up 59-17.
ETSU Head Basketball Coach Ed DeChellis was even a little surprised by the ease in which his Bucs took care of the Owls (1-7).
“I’m a little shocked by the score,” he said. “We saw the tape of them against High Point, who beat Georgia Southern. It was a close game and a game (in which) you hold your breath the last couple minutes.”
The Bucs did not let up in the second half, as Childress began the period the way he started the game with a three-point basket, and the Bucs just kept increasing their lead.
Childress led the scoring for the Bucs with 16 points, nearly reaching his season average (16.8) that has him ranked third in the Southern Conference, on six-of-seven shooting and four-of-five from behind the arc in just 13 minutes of action.
The Bucs largest lead of the game came with a bucket by Carson, putting them up 101-29 for a 72-point advantage.
The Bucs exhibited a well balanced offense as 12 players received over 10 minutes of playing time and every Buccaneer made it into the scoring column.
“I’m proud of the way we played the game,” DeChellis said. “We were looking to get each other open, making the extra pass. I’m proud of the effort we game.”
Along with Childress’ 16 points, the Bucs had Fields (13) and Carson (11) reaching double figures as both added three trey.
Junior point guard Cliff Decoster also reached double figures with 11 points and added five assists and five steals on the night.
Freshman forward Zakee Wadood led the Bucs on the glass with seven rebounds, four of which were on the offensive end. Wadood also added eight points.
Freshman Guard Sam Oatman led the Bucs with six assists and added four points and three steals form the point guard position.
“I’m proud of the way the freshmen played,” DeChellis said. “They all contributed and did what they are supposed to.”
Warren Wilson’s Josh Gilbert led all scorers in the game with 17 points in 28 minutes played.
The Bucs will be back in action Dec. 8 at Radford University with the tip-off set for 7 p.m.

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