NEWPORT NEWS – After back-to-back wins, Nansemond-Suffolk’s boys basketball team had some confidence going into Wednesday night’s contest against Tidewater Conference rival Walsingham.

The semifinals of the Peninsula Catholic Holiday Classic happened to pair the conference mates and the Saints got a taste of what TCIS competition will be like starting shortly after the New Year. Walsingham led from wire to wire in a 73-46 win over the Saints (3-5).

“I think we played a team that’s very patient and plays very well as a team. (Walsingham) is kind of what we want to get to,” said Saint head coach Clint Wright.

“(Walsingham) really works on every trip to get the best possible shot. We have the tendency to rush, especially when we fall behind, we think we have to get 10 or 12 points back all at once,” Wright said.

There were stretches the Saints traded blows with the Trojans but major Walsingham runs turned the game into a rout.

The Trojans scored 20 points, and had a 20-10 lead, in the first 5:15 of the game. Walsingham moved the ball crisply and efficiently, inside and outside, against NSA’s defense.

Breon Willie’s outside shooting kept the Saints in touch. NSA cut a 16-point deficit down to 29-19 Trojans on Anthony Waldner’s three-pointer as the clock neared two minutes in the half.

There was time for NSA to get closer and make a game of it before the half, instead Walsingham poured in eight straight points for a 37-19 lead. A couple Saint turnovers aided the run, turning into easy fast breaks by the Trojans.

NSA came out running to start the second half and found success for a couple minutes. Harrison Spalding scored five points to help NSA get within 37-26. Walsingham regained control and quickly had a 48-28 lead.

Walsingham led 54-39 going to the fourth period and went on a 9-0 run in the first 3:01 of the fourth.

“We didn’t help ourselves with our shooting percentage, especially in the first half. Walsingham’s bigger than us, so shooting well was a must,” Wright said. “Every loss is a lesson learned for us right now.”

Spalding scored 12 of his team-high 15 points in the third period. Willie finished with nine points. Ryan May and Chris Sharrett scored six points each.

The Saints move on to the third-place game at Peninsula Catholic Thursday evening. NSA gets the loser of York vs. Hampton Christian.