LEXINGTON — The nationally ranked Davidson County Community College Storm trailed only briefly Saturday against Emory Oxford College (Covington, Ga.) at Brinkley Gym. Very briefly. 

The Eagles scored the first basket to take a 2-0 lead and then the Storm ripped off the next 14 points to take a double digit lead that they never relinquished. DCCC throttled their conference foe 93-69 and placed five players in double figures to raise their overall record to 20-4.

 Phillip Williams made a couple steals and his dribble penetration and solid passing resulted in several easy shots for his squad, helping them race to a 14-2 lead. The Storm stretched their lead to 28 points in the first half and led by 25 at halftime. 

Williams was a big part of that midway margin. He played a near perfect first half scoring nine points and dishing out seven assists with only one turnover. He was a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line and added two steals and two rebounds. He finished the game with 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

 “Phillip was the big reason we got off to a big start,” said Storm head coach Matt Ridge. “He got his teammates involved with his driving ability and his passing. I was very proud of how we played in the first half” 

 Guard Robbie Rives was a big part of that halftime lead as well. He had 12 first half points on 4 of 5 from behind the 3-point stripe. 

“Robbie is very capable of hitting the 3-point shot and Phillip got it to him,” said Ridge. “We have several guys on this team that can hit the open shot. We have seven guys averaging nine points or more. We have lots of guys that can score.”

 Score indeed. 

Forward Eric Potts scored 18 points and Zack Williams had 12 points and added seven rebounds (five offensive) off the bench. Justin Glover added 15 points including a rim-rattling dunk off a steal in the first half and a highlight-worthy rejection in the second half.

 After the half, the Storm came out strong. A deep 3-pointer by Glover and another 3-ball from Rives followed by a steal from Rives, spotted DCCC to a 32-point lead and the game was basically over. Even though the game was never close in the second half, Ridge was not completely happy with his team’s second half effort or their offensive rebounding.

“We have to do a better job on the offensive boards,” said Ridge. 

 The Storm (undefeated in conference play) travels to Central Carolina Community College today, then will host the Louisburg College junior varsity on Thursday and Caldwell Community College on Saturday. Caldwell sits second in the Tarheel Conference standings.

“We would love for the community to come out and support us this week,” said Ridge . 

 DCCC moved from No. 12 to No. 9 in the Division III men's basketball national polls this week. Coach Ridge says their eye is on the National Championship. 

“We keep knocking on the door. Maybe we will get it to open eventually,” said Ridge.