COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In a highly-anticipated crosstown matchup between South and Linden-McKinley on Thursday, the visiting Bulldogs made sure to not return home to 1160 Ann Street with its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs took care of business on the road, riding 27 points from sophomore point guard Treohn Watkins to deliver knockout blow after knockout blow in a 65-45 win over Linden.

In a game that went back and forth in the first eight minutes, South extended what was a two-point lead after the first quarter of play to double-digits in the second quarter. Behind a high-pressure defense that forced a litany of turnovers, the Bulldogs sped Linden up to a pace it could not control for most of the second quarter.

Going up 26-15 midway through the period, South would keep Linden at a distance for the rest of the way, heading into halftime with a 36-27 lead behind 15 first half points from Watkins.

The second half was much of the same for South, as the Bulldogs would not allow Linden to get any closer than 13 points, heading into the fourth quarter with a 50-37 advantage.

In the fourth, Watkins would continue to take over, as South limited what Linden could do scoring the ball, taking home a 65-45 victory.

With the win, South is the only undefeated team remaining in the City League and much of that is due to the play of the talented sophomore Watkins. 

Knocking down five threes and helping South set to the tone on the defensive perimeter, Watkins' 27 points were a career-high. Watkins and junior guard Naiquan Galloway were a terror on the perimeter, as Galloway added 11 points, three assists and five steals. Galloway's elite-level quickness and defensive prowess has been a big boost for the Bulldogs, as South has one of the area's best backcourts in Division II.

Outside of Watkins and Galloway, lengthy senior wing Bruelle Thompson added nine points, four rebounds and five steals. Finishing at an elite level near the rim, Thompson continued an upward ascension for his development, as we really like the 6-foot-3 senior's upside.

For Linden, junior forward Faizon Tucker finished with a team-high 16 points, knocking down several tough shots and showing athletic ability when finishing at the rim. No other player would score in double figures for the Panthers, while senior forward Nate Claude added nine points. Sophomore big man D'Amonte Jones had a solid evening, finishing with six points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

With the win, South will look to stay undefeated next Tuesday at home vs. Jonathan Alder. Linden will look to get back to its winning ways next Thursday vs. River View at the Heath Holiday Tournament. 

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