By Tray Mason

Correspondent

The Nansemond River Warriors used a huge third-quarter run to defeat the Hickory Hawks Friday evening, 74-33, in the first game of back-to-back for the Warriors.

Leading just 27-17 at the half, the Warriors turned up the defensive intensity in the third quarter. Two consecutive steals led to two easy layups for Sterling Peden and Jay Melendez as NR took a 35-19 lead halfway through the third.

The Warriors didn’t allow a Hawks field goal until the 1:20 mark. Shannon Evans capped off the run, converting on one of several dunk attempts with 1:15 to play.

Evans led all scorers with 17 points, along with six assists, six steals, and two blocks. Point guard Dontrell Brite added 12 points, seven assists, and seven steals for the Warriors.

“I started off slow, as a team we started off slow,” Brite said after the game. “In the second half, we picked up our defense and pulled away.”

The game was the front end of two consecutive for the Warriors who were set to take on L.C. Bird Saturday in the VirgniaPreps.com Classic. L.C. Bird, last year’s VHSL State Runner-Up, is currently ranked ninth in the state of Virginia.