Published on: Thursday, February 21, 2013

By Brandy L. Simms

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE – Churchill had a three-point lead over Watkins Mill with less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Friday’s non-division game between the two teams.

The Wolverines had rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to cut the lead to one possession before Churchill converted 16 straight free throws down the stretch en route to an 84-64 road victory over Watkins Mill.

Churchill junior Allen Njumbe scored a career-high 34 points to lead three Bulldogs in double figures while Jesse Locke added 20 points and Dominique Williams finished with 18 points.

Njumbe, who converted twelve consecutive free throws in the fourth quarter and went 13-for-14 in the period, said his team works on foul shots during daily practice.

“Every day,” he said, “we have to make ten free throws in a row before we get out the gym.”

The win helped the Bulldogs improve to 17-4 and remain atop the 4A South division standings.

Meanwhile, Churchill spoiled Senior Night for Watkins Mill point guard Tyvon Grant (team-high 20 points) and swingman Alex Sotomayor (19 points) who combined for 39 points in the loss. J.R. Gibson, a senior guard, also finished with ten points for the Wolverines.

“It was pretty disappointing,” said Grant. “Four hard years and to lose on Senior Night is pretty disappointing.”

Watkins Mill trailed Churchill 40-23 at the intermission but outscored the Bulldogs in the third quarter, 25-17.

Watkins Mill sophomore Rob Montgomery scored with 5:35 remaining in the fourth period to cut the deficit to 60-57 before Churchill closed out the game on a 24-7 run.