It was the type of performance Wilmington coach K.C. Hunt has been waiting to see this season.

After opening with back-to-back losses, the Quakers put on a defensive clinic and cruised to a 93-61 victory over La Roche on the first day of the Great Lakes Invitational at Marietta College's Ban Johnson Arena Friday afternoon.

"Coming out, we were really ready to play," said Wilmington coach K.C. Hunt. "We're a pressing team, and we got away from that in games one and two. I thought it was a really good team effort."

The intensity on the defensive end translated into an 11-0 run to open the game and a 46-24 halftime lead.

"I'm proud of our overall effort," Hunt said.

"Horrible performance. It was over in the first three minutes," said La Roche coach Hermie Carmichael. "We told them what was coming – and intense full court pressure. But we played scared. We're young but we have to get over it."

To jumpstart the defense, Wilmington decided to start four guards and bring senior Collmann Aaron, a 6-foot-7 forward, off the bench. Normally a starter, Hunt said Aaron could have responded negatively to the change.

Instead, Aaron responded with a 25-point performance that included eight 3-point baskets.

"It was a different role for him, and I'm proud of the way he responded," Hunt said.

"His shot discipline was off the charts."

Aaron said the energy and intensity on the defensive end carried over to the offense.

"I was getting open shots," said Aaron, who had one block. "I was struggling the first two games to make shots. I found my rhythm today."

Wilmington freshman Obed Achirem, a 6-2 guard, also played his best collegiate game to date. Achirem dominated the boards with 16 rebounds, while also scoring 13 points.

"The first two games (of the season) I was kind of nervous," said Achirem, who had two impressive dunks. "I had to get a feel for the game. The coaches reminded me to just be me and I took that to heart. The game felt more natural today."

Hunt cracked a huge smile when he spoke about his freshman.

"You saw his motor and his toughness," Hunt said. "He got around the basket and made some things happen. He's an energizer for our team. There are just great things ahead for him."

Sophomore guard Jayden Lewis added 11 points and three assists in the victory. Senior guard Jeffery Mansfield – one of the top players in the Ohio Athletic Conference – was limited to seven minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. He still managed to dish out seven assists and score six points.

Sophomore Bilal Sow chipped in with nine points for the Quakers (1-2).
La Roche (0-4) showed signs of life in the second half as the Redhawks cut the deficit to 17 points. Sophomore Joe Pipilo said they flipped the script on Wilmington by opening with a full-court press of their own.

"Our pressing them threw them off a little bit," said Pipilo, who finished with 16 points. "(Coach) told us everything they were going to do. We just didn't execute. My hope is this is a learning experience and hopefully laugh about it in a couple of months."

Freshman Kadyn Hannah had nine points and four rebounds, while freshman Michael Brooks added seven points in the loss.

With no seniors, La Roche's lack of experience was apparent.

"Our practices have been really good overall. It's not translating to games, though," Carmichael said. "Understanding how tough it is to play a college basketball game takes some time."