There are now six reasons to be happy if you’re a Buccaneer faithful.
ETSU’s win over South Division Southern Conference foe Davidson 75-70 has put the Bucs 6-0 in SoCon play.
That is the best start of any ETSU (14-4, 6-0 SoCon) squad including the 1989-92 team that went to four straight NCAA tournaments.
“This was another tough game,” said head coach Murry Bartow.
“You could just use my same remarks after every Southern Conference game we have played this year. Fortunately, we went away with another win.”
Davidson (7-10, 2-4 SoCon), who has one of the hardest schedules in the nation, including Duke, Georgetown and North Carolina, played like a team possessed to win.
The Wildcats came back from a nine-point deficit with 2:01 left in the game. But Ben Rhoda came up with a big steal with 47 ticks left on the clock and set Zakee Wadood for a layup, putting the Bucs on top for good at 69-68.
Tim Smith hit four free throws in a row and Wadood hit a pair to help the Bucs to their sixth straight SoCon win.
“Tonight was nothing new for us,” said Smith.
“I just went to the free throw line with a blank mind – knowing I had to hit them.”
Pressure is nothing new for the Bucs as five points or less has decided all of their SoCon games, except for one.
There is a team consensus that every team is gunning for them this year because of their NCAA appearance last spring.
“I definitely feel each team is playing their best to beat us,” said Smith.
Wadood continues to nurse an injured ankle. His stats do not show that, as he led in scoring with 25 points, 17 of those in the second half.
“My ankle feels pretty good on the court,” said Wadood.
“When I leave the game is when it really starts hurting. I usually have to ice it down right after.”
Wadood shot nine of 16 from the floor, four of seven from the three-point range, while blocking three shots and grabbing three steals.
After finishing a stretch of three Southern Conference games in five days, Gerald Fields is happy to have a rest.
“This game was a war,” said Fields.
“It’s just like a Davidson game – it’s a tough rivalry.
“We are tired and exhausted. We need a day off to sleep and rest before playing Appalachian State.”
The grueling three-game stretch saw the Bucs beat Western Carolina, Elon and Davidson.
Four players reached double figures Wednesday: including Wadood, Fields, James Anthony and Smith. It was Fields 11th career double-double, and Wadood set a personal career high for three-point field goals with four.

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