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WESTON, Conn. Mike Hvizdo has raised the expectations in his first year as the coach of the Weston boys basketball team. Even in a convincing 74-54 win over Oxford on Tuesday night, the former Sacred Heart University player saw plenty of places for his team to improve.
We just came out flat, Hvizdo said after the Trojans improved to 5-1. We didnt play with energy. We didnt play four quarters of intense basketball, which is what we do. I dont feel we played intense basketball until late in the second half, unfortunately.
Charlie DiPasquale and Erik Dammen-Brower scored 16 points apiece for the Trojans. Max Molinsky added 11 points with six assists and four steals, while Lyle Mitchell contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
I dont think we were talking enough to each other on the defensive end, said Molinsky, a senior guard. We have to show coach that were bringing energy every game.
Oxford trailed, 50-42, after a basket by Cathain Pratt with just more than six minutes left. DiPasquale hit two free throws with 5:43 remaining and then buried a three-pointer with 4:55 left to put Weston up 55-43. Weston ended the game with a 24-12 run. Dammen-Brower had a big second half for the Trojans, scoring 13 in the final 16 minutes.
Im happy that we won, but we didnt play our best game, Hvizdo said. Give Oxford credit. The score does not reflect the tale of this game. They hung around and made some shots. It didnt feel like a 20-point win.
Weston trailed 13-9 early in the second quarter before DiPasquale made two straight three-point plays and then drained a three-pointer to put Weston ahead for good. His flurry sparked a 13-2 run. Weston led 26-22 at halftime, and Oxford whittled the lead to two, 33-31, with 4:53 left in the third quarter. The Trojans rebuilt the margin to 46-35 after three periods.
Hvizdo hopes the lackluster victory is an aberration, and the Trojans return to form in Fridays road game at Masuk. Its very possible its due to vacation, when theyre not in school and staying up late, he said. I like to believe we can get back to where we were playing before the break.
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