Woodard scored 22 points on 7 of 10 shooting to lead the Thomas More Saints to the 86-76 win Friday over Anderson University in the first game of the 2004 Wilmington College Tip-Off Classic.
Thomas More dominated the game, trailing for just three and a half minutes in the game. A three-pointer by Jered Ferguson capped an 11-0 run early in the first half that gave the Saints its first double-digit lead of the game.
However, the Ravens would go on a run of their own to regain the lead with a little over a minute left in the half.
Undeterred, the Saints reclaimed the advantage thanks to some hot shooting by reserve guard Michael Selm, who scored five points to end the half, and Thomas More took a one-point advantage into the locker room. At the half, both teams shots blistering percentages as TMC shot 57 percent from the field, and AU shot 45 percent.
Defensive intensity keyed a second half run that allowed Thomas More to give itself some breathing room. Back-to-back steals led to back-to-back layups, and the Saints lead was back to eight
The second half saw the Saints tighten the defensive screws, and hold the Ravens to just 25 percent from the field.
Every time Anderson would make a run to get to within three, Thomas More had an answer.
Sophomore center E.J. Haynes came off the bench to provide the Saints with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, while senior forward Chad Wachs added another 10 points. Wachs also had eight boards and three blocks for Thomas More.
Ferguson dished out a team-high three assists.
Thomas More (1-0) returns to action Saturday to face Defiance College.