Men's Basketball Southern Conference

Davidson splits first two games of Italian tour

BORMIO, Italy ? The Davidson men's basketball team won its first contest during its seven-game tour of Italy, Switzerland and Slovenia, beating the Central African Republic Team on Wednesday afternoon, 58-46. The Wildcats began the tour with a 95-61 loss to the Italian National Team, which won the 2004 Olympic Silver medal.

Senior power forward Ian Johnson had a dominating performance for Davidson in the victory over the Central African Team, scoring 14 points and hauling in 16 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures was senior guard Matt McKillop with 10 points, while sophomore forward Boris Meno grabbed 10 boards. Senior point guard Kenny Grant had a solid all-around game with nine points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Senior Brendan Winters, the 2005 Southern Conference Player of the Year, rejoined the team shortly before the Wildcats left for Italy. Winters had been at a tryout for USA Basketball’s team for the World University Games. He managed to score eight points and bring down three rebounds.

Statistics for the loss to the Italian National Team were unavailable, but Davidson kept the game close late into the first half, trailing by just seven points with two minutes before intermission.

The Wildcats are scheduled to play a game Friday in Livigno, Switzerland, against a team as yet to be determined. From there, Davidson will travel to Treviso and Venice before playing again in Ljubljana, Slovenia, for games against the Olympia Basket Pro Team, Sloven Ljubljana Basket Pro Team and Domzale Pro Team. The final contest will be played in Senigallia, Italy, against the Senigallia Pro Team.

Davidson will return to the United States on August 20.