Matthew Maloney, Blake Martin and Sandro Scott were quite a scoring trio for Greenwich High School’s boys basketball team during its showdown against Staples before a big Cardinals crowd on Jan. 21.

The trio combined for 54 points, resulting in the Cardinals’ most significant win of the season to date.

Maloney scored 23 points, Martin posted 16 points and Scott poured in 15 to power Greenwich to a 57-52 win over previously undefeated Staples.

The Wreckers entered the FCIAC game with a record of 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the conference, but played from behind against the Cardinals, who proved they can pull out a close matchup.

This season, Greenwich lost games against FCIAC foes St. Joseph and New Canaan, both of which were decided late in the fourth quarter.

“We struggled in our execution against St. Joe’s, we had a lead going into the fourth quarter,” Maloney said. “That was the main focus in practice this week – being calm under pressure and not turn the ball over.”

Execution in crunch time and taking care of the basketball were indeed, key aspects to Greenwich’s spirited win against one of its FCIAC rivals.

“It feels great, we had trouble closing teams like St. Joe’s, so, It feels great,” Scott said. “We know what our team is capable now. To beat the No. 1 team in the FCIAC, it shows a lot.”

Maloney, a senior guard, scored 14 of his game-high 23 points in the second half. Martin registered 10 first-half points and Scott converted three 3-pointers to spark the Cards.

Greenwich trailed Staples, 14-13 following the first quarter, then led 27-23 at halftime. The Cardinals brought a 45-37 advantage on the Wreckers into the fourth quarter.

With the win, Greenwich improved its overall record to 4-6. Their FCIAC mark is 3-3.

“It feels amazing, we haven’t had the start to the season we were looking for but I think this sets the tone for the rest of the season.”

Staples, which was coming off a decisive 85-53 win over Darien, received 14 points from junior Samson Clachko and 13 points from junior Mason Tobias.

Greenwich focused a good amount of attention on containing the Wreckers’ high-scoring duo of Clachko and senior guard Adam Udell. They face guarded Clachko and Udell, while also playing a zone defense.

“I’m very proud, the kids really followed through with the plan,” Greenwich assistant coach Billy Murphy said. “Sometimes when you playing zone doesn’t always work out as well as it did. We tried to shut down their best two players.”

“Our goal was to minimize the turnovers and we face guarded Clacko and Udell and we executed,” Maloney said.

A layup by Tobias cut Greenwich’s lead to 45-42 with 6:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, prompting a Cardinals timeout. Following the timeout, Scott swished a 3-pointer from the right side, giving GHS a 48-42 advantage with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter.

Junior center Michael Golden scored from the low post and Scott made a mid-range jumper, making it 52-46 in favor of the Cardinals midway through the final quarter. Blake’s basket with 2:32 left put GHS ahead, 56-49.

Martin made key shots throughout the game, scoring off layups and drives shots in the lane.

“I knew they were going to focus on Sandro and Matt, so I knew that I had to step up today,” Martin said. “I saw the lane was wide open and I was just taking it.”

In the third quarter, Clachko drove to the basket and scored, bringing Staples to within 31-28. The Cards gained some separation however, as Maloney scored off a pump fake in the lane, the hit a short jump shot.

Martin’s layup off a Maloney pass gave Greenwich a 37-30 third-quarter edge.

“Going in we knew this was going to be a battle,” Maloney said. “We knew we had to play a perfect game going in.”

Golden had two points and provided solid rebound and junior guard Tyler Bell made a free throw for a point for Greenwich, which visits Trumbull on Friday at 7 p.m.

“Our whole plan it was about effort and hustle,” noted Scott. “If you really want something, you have to go get it and I think we did a great job.”

“We didn’t want to force anything, because we knew they were really good in transition. We tried to get good quality shots and we got what we wanted.”

Dhilan Lowman had 12 points and Udell scored nine for Staples.

The mood in the Cardinals’ locker room was obviously, great after dealing Staples its first loss of the season.

Coach Murphy appreciated the team’s execution and overall team play.

“I thought they showed a lot of poise,” Murphy said. “That’s a great team we defeated. “Those three (Maloney, Scott Martin), when they all step up we usually have success.”

“It feels great, they are probably one of the best teams in the FCIAC,” Martin said of the win. “Coach told us going into this game that we had nothing to lose. I think this win will really boost the team.”

For more pictures from Greenwich’s win versus Staples, visit: https://www.06878photography.com/basketball—greenwich-high-school-varsity-boys-vs-westport-staples-high-school-varsity-boys-at-gree