By Scott Halasz

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BEAVERCREEK — The Beavercreek Beavers found out what happens when there are too many gaps in their 2-3 zone defense.

The opponent has an easy time scoring. A lot.

The Wayne Warriors scored from inside and outside in beating the Beavers, 71-52, Saturday inside Ed Zink Fieldhouse. Wayne made 50 percent of its 2-point shots and 31 percent of its 3-point shots, taking advantage of uncharacteristically poor spacing in the normally staunch defense, which has been a trademark for Ed Zink-coached teams for decades.

“A lot of times, we get over-extended and they get inside on us and we’re slow to react,” Zink said. “We don’t contain the basketball. Once they get in the lane, you’re in trouble.”

That was evident early on as the Warriors (3-1 overall, 2-0 Greater Western Ohio Conference National East) raced out to an 11-2 lead three minutes into the game, mostly on layups and short jumpers.

“Sometimes we’re just out of position,” Zink said. “(But) give them credit. That’s an extremely talented team and they’re very good. They’ve got six or seven kids that can score.”

Former Beavercreek player Maya Dunson led the Warriors with 14 points, including a pair of crucial 3-pointers to stuff a Beavercreek rally, while Destiny Bohanon added 13 and Shai McGruder and Mali Morgan-Elliott scored 10 each.

The Beavers (4-2, 1-1 GWOC) had three players in double figures led by Carmen Williams’ 14. Keaira Youngblood scored 11, her sixth game in double figures this season, and Lexi Moore scored 10. Cori Dilsavor chipped in nine points, including four straight late in the first, to help the Beavers cut into what was a 17-4 Wayne lead. Moore also scored four late points but Wayne led, 22-12 after the first quarter.

Wayne’s lead reached 13 early in the second, 27-14, but Bailey Draughn drained a 3-pointer to keep it close. Wayne increased the lead to as many as 15, 37-22, with 1:36 left in the half, but Williams hit a 3-pointer and Dilsavor scored a 2-pointer in the final 1:21 to cut the margin to 39-27 at the half. The teams basically traded baskets throughout much of the third quarter and Beavercreek was within striking distance at 47-35 after a Williams rebound bucket with 52 seconds left.

But then Dunson hit a 3-pointer, and then hit one from five feet beyond the 3-point line after a ‘Creek turnover, to give the Warriors a 53-35 lead after three. The Beavers drew no closer than that the rest of the game.

“Fifty-two points a lot of times, that will win you a game,” Zink said. “But we just get ourselves in trouble a lot by being out of control sometimes.”

The 70 points are the most given up by Beavercreek since a 70-52 loss to Kettering Alter on Dec. 30, 2013. It’s also just the second time a Beavercreek team has given up that many points since giving up 78 in a 2-point win over Heritage High School from Tennessee in 2007, also Dec. 30.

“We’ve just got to keep working at it,” Zink said. “Maybe change things up a little bit, not necessarily personnel wise.”

Beavercreek was at Chaminade-Julienne, Wednesday and hosts Centerville on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Beavercreek’s Cori Dilsavor makes a move to the hoop as Wayne’s Mali Morgan-Elliott tries to cut her off.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2016/12/web1_Dilsavor-copy.jpgBeavercreek’s Cori Dilsavor makes a move to the hoop as Wayne’s Mali Morgan-Elliott tries to cut her off. Don Tate | Greene County News

Beavercreek’s Taylor Steinbrunner (right) wrestles with Wayne’s Kyra Willis for the ball during girls basketball action Saturday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2016/12/web1_taylor-copy.jpgBeavercreek’s Taylor Steinbrunner (right) wrestles with Wayne’s Kyra Willis for the ball during girls basketball action Saturday. Don Tate | Greene County News

Contact Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.