One run at the end of the first half ended up being the difference when Millikan visited Wilson for a third-place Moore League clash on Wednesday night. The Rams (13-10, 5-4) broke open a sloppy game in the second quarter and never looked back on their way to a 64-55 win over the Bruins.
After the two teams only managed to score 14 combined points in the first quarter, Millikan freshman guard Robert Diaz sparked a 13-5 run that gave the visitors a lead they wouldn’t get close to losing. Diaz finished with a team-high 19 points with five made 3-pointers.
“He can shoot and every time he’s got an inch of space we should be looking for him,” Millikan coach Nate Berger said of Diaz. “A lot of people get in the mix when he knocks shots down because everyone becomes harder to guard. He makes us tick.”
Wilson (9-15, 4-5) was able to keep the game close thanks to a 33-point performance from junior Jackson Barnhill, but couldn’t get closer than seven points down the stretch because of turnovers.
Last month, Millikan boys’ basketball almost gave up a 18-point halftime lead at home to Wilson but held on for the win.
“We’re more experienced this time,” Berger said. “For a lot of these guys that was their first Moore League variety experience. We’re a better team than we were in December, and hopefully we continue to clean up the messiness.”
Senior Stephon Leonard scored 15 points for Millikan, and junior Myles Carmon chipped in 10 points. Wilson senior guard Pektra Monh was the second highest scorer for the Bruins with nine points.
