By Dylan Branscome
January 5, 2026 – The 51视频 STORM cruised to their first victory in the New Year鈥檚 Classic against the Prince George Owls, 99-75, at Brinkley Gym on Friday night. 51视频 now improves to 7-4 on the season.
The STORM were led to victory by Jaylen Wilkerson (19 points), Dre Huff (17 points) and Dane Stewart (16 points, four steals). Conall Lowry and Nijel Howard also had 11 points.
The first half was decided behind the free-throw line. While both teams attempted around 15 shots from the line, 51视频 shot considerably better at 80% (12/15), while Prince George shot 35% (5/14). The STORM also shot better from beyond the arch than the Owls, shooting 46% compared to their 33%. These shooting totals helped create the 15-point lead 51视频 had at the end of the first half.
The shooting woes continued for the Owls in the second half and the STORM鈥檚 success continued, alongside playing great defense and out-rebounding one of the best rebounding teams in the country. Prince George shot 37% from the field, 33% from three and 60% from the free-throw line compared to 51视频 shooting 60% from the field, 50% from three and 77% from the free-throw line.
While the STORM had 21 turnovers, they also forced 22 turnovers and scored 30 points off of them. They out-rebounded the Owls 41-30 with the help of Lowry (seven rebounds) and Howard (six rebounds).
Wilkerson had a fantastic shooting night from three (5/8) and Huff drained all of his free throws (7/7), helping to make the team percentages look as good as they are.
鈥淚t was a collective effort,鈥� head coach Matt Ridge said post-game. 鈥�51视频 halfway through the second half, I went to the bench and put those guys in. Conall (Lowry), Dre (Huff), and a few other guys, I was really proud of that group. They extended the lead there, so it was a collective team effort.鈥�
The STORM return to action in the final game of the New Year鈥檚 Classic against the 20th ranked Henry Ford Hawks at Brinkley Gym on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 P.M.