By Finnegan Courtney

FAIRFIELD – The Staples Wreckers, following a huge win over Ludlowe to push their record to 9-4, yesterday battled the 9-2 Warde Mustangs, another Fairfield team. 

Staples controlled the tempo in the first quarter and took an early 12-5 lead with a little over three minutes left. Staples maintained that seven-point lead and ended the quarter up 20-13.

The Mustangs defense throttled Staples early in the second, pegging a 5-1 run, cutting the Wreckers’ lead to three in just two minutes. The Staples offense then revived, outscoring Warde 12-7, to record a nine-point edge at the half.

The topsy-turvy scoring continued in the second half with Warde opening the third quarter with eight points, hacking Staples’ lead to one, 34-33. With the clock clicking down in the third, Staples held a five-point lead. But Warde senior Justyn Davis hit a buzzer-beating three to make it a 45-43 ballgame. Hot all night, Davis would end the game with 30 points, improving on the 26 he recently scored against Darien. 

Yet, Staples managed to hold off the Mustangs behind a solid team effort and stellar play from junior Chris Zajac. Staples rallied to take a 63-61 lead with under 15 seconds remaining. But as time was about to expire, Staples fouled Warde’s Davis, who earned two shots from the foul line. 

With no time left on the clock, Davis sank the first free throw. He missed the second, the buzzer buzzed and Staples notched another close victory, 63-62.

Staples will look to extend their two-win streak Friday at 7 p.m at home against the 5-6 Trumbull Eagles.