Baltimore leads Aiken to a blowout win at Silver Bluff

Aiken's Nazae Baltimore shoots a jumper at Silver Bluff Wednesday.

6'6" junior Nazae Baltimore dominated the paint in Aiken's season opening 60-36 win at Silver Bluff Wednesday in the AugBball Game of the Day. The 6'6" junior scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.

Baltimore scored 10 first half points, 6 off the offensive glass, during the only stretch in which the Hornets had trouble scoring. Aiken led 24-18 at the break after George Williams made his team's first three pointer with 26 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

The Hornets found a nice rhythm in the second half when Williams and Calvin Mathis each buried a three to spark a 10-0 run that put Aiken ahead 34-18. Mathis, who scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half, would follow that spurt with a three pointer and a dunk to give the Hornets a 41-26 advantage. The Bulldogs would get no closer than 9 points after that.

Full Game Highlights

Coach Darris Jackson, who led Aiken to a 24-5 record last year in his second season as head coach, talked about his team's effort in playing a stifling man-to-man defense against Silver Bluff's smaller guards.

"It was a challenge for our bigs to get out and guard, and I think they're the ones who did an excellent job getting out and defending guards. For big guys to be able to get out and move their feet... it was a great challenge for them, and they accepted it," Jackson said after the game.

Aiken's Antonio Bussey - 6'7" Center

Aiken's size and length is imposing. Baltimore is joined down low by senior Antonio Bussey (6'7"), and they are flanked on the wings by seniors Mathis and Kevin Williamson, who each stand 6'4".

Silver Bluff's Jadakiss Wright

Jadakiss Wright led Silver Bluff with 9 points. Wright scored all of his points by making 3 first half three pointers. The third cut Aiken's lead to 4 at 21-17 with 33 seconds left in the second quarter. That was the closest the Bulldogs would get the rest of the game.

The Hornets (1-0) play their first home game Friday against Lexington (4-1). Silver Bluff (1-1) will host South Aiken (1-0) Friday.