The Washington Demon boys basketball team secured another vital conference win last night in a 59-44 defeat of previously unbeaten Burlington. Washington leaned on free-throw shooting and strong defense to lead 25-23 at halftime, then pulled away in the second half by continuing to give no ground. Considering the opponent and its star players like Merquiche Lewis and JJ Martin, Demons head coach Collin Stark told KCII Sports that the win is easily his team’s best defensive performance of the young season.

“Tonight was just all about [how] we need to make sure that we make it as difficult as possible on their two guys who, between the two of them, average about 51 [points per game],” Stark said after the game. “For us to hold the whole team to 44 says a lot to them, and I thought our guys even played defense the right way as well. Keeping hands off and just really using our bodies, and the help-side defense was the best it’s been all year.”

On offense, senior Ethan Patterson led the Demons with 18 points and also reached the 1,000-point milestone for his career. Ajay Six finished with 15 points and Evan Van Der Molen added 10 as Washington improves to 2-0 in the Southeast Conference and 2-2 overall. The Demons next play Tuesday night at home against Oskaloosa.