Danbury's Diante Vines (1) drives to the basket past Warde's Sean Comway Friday night at Danbury High.
Danbury's Diante Vines (1) drives to the basket past Warde's Sean Comway Friday night at Danbury High.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Warde’s Chris Bogan (24) drives to the basket past Danbury’s Diante Vines during Friday’s FCIAC clash.
Warde’s Chris Bogan (24) drives to the basket past Danbury’s Diante Vines during Friday’s FCIAC clash.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Danbury's Javon Hernandez (5) and Warde's Matthew Becker (5) fight for a rebound in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn. less
Danbury's Javon Hernandez (5) and Warde's Matthew Becker (5) fight for a rebound in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Warde's Chris Bogan (21) shoots over Danbury's Diante Vines (1) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn. less
Warde's Chris Bogan (21) shoots over Danbury's Diante Vines (1) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Danbury’s Jordan Brown goes up for a shot over Warde's Chris Bogan in the basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury High Friday night in Danbury. The Hatters handed the Mustangs their first FCIAC loss, 73-66, and improved to 10-1 on the season. less
Danbury’s Jordan Brown goes up for a shot over Warde's Chris Bogan in the basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury High Friday night in Danbury. The Hatters handed the Mustangs their first FCIAC ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Warde's Daniel Fitzpatrick (2) drive to the basket past Danbury's Diante Vines (1) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn. less
Warde's Daniel Fitzpatrick (2) drive to the basket past Danbury's Diante Vines (1) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Danbury's Keyon Moore (4) keeps the ball out of the reach of Warde's Nick Crescione (24) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn. less
Danbury's Keyon Moore (4) keeps the ball out of the reach of Warde's Nick Crescione (24) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Warde's Jeff Seganos (3) defend's Danbury's Javon Hernandez (5) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn. less
Warde's Jeff Seganos (3) defend's Danbury's Javon Hernandez (5) in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Fairfield Warde head coach Ryan Swaller signals his team during the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn. less
Fairfield Warde head coach Ryan Swaller signals his team during the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, ... more
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Danbury head coach Casey Bock questions a call in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Danbury head coach Casey Bock questions a call in the boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Boys basketball game between Fairfield Warde and Danbury high schools, on Friday night, January 26, 2018, at Danbury High School, in Danbury, Conn.
Photo: H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media
DANBURY — The depth of the Danbury boys basketball team was severely tested with the absence of Denali Burton ahead of its crucial matchup with Warde Friday night.
Up stepped one of his co-stars to deliver the knockout punch.
Senior Jordon Brown scored 18 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter, sending the Hatters to a statement 73-66 win over the Mustangs.
“We all had to do a little more on both the offensive and defensive end,” Brown said. “Especially the defensive end; we had to rebound more, try to stop (Sean) Conway and (Matt) Becker and we got the job done.”
It was anything but comfortable for the now 10-1 Hatters.
Warde — which entered the game at 7-0 in the conference and thrived in the road setting behind the help of a strong student section — grabbed a 59-58 lead with three minutes left with a 6-0 run. A Hatters timeout prompted a 7-0 run, including a 3-pointer from Brown that gave his team the lead for good.
“I thought we buckled down defensively and executed on offense,” Danbury coach Casey Bock said. “We got some stops and we executed.”
With both teams in the bonus down the stretch, Danbury went 6-for-6 from the line in the final 90 seconds as Warde went 1-for-2. A layup from Becker (19 points) pulled Warde to within 65-61 with 1:16 left, but the Hatters responded with a 5-0 run to ice the contest.
“We have guys that are going to step up,” Bock said. “We have other players that were able to step up and do a little bit more.”
CONTAINING CONWAY
Impossible to stop for 32 minutes, the Warde sharpshooter scored 26 points through some lockdown defense from Brown and Diante Vines.
“It was a huge win for us,” Brown said. “I thought Diante Vines did a good job on Conway. It was a huge milestone today. We beat one of the best teams in the state.”
After an 87-74 loss to Amity on Wednesday in which Conway scored 35 points, the Mustangs (8-4) have dropped back-to-back games after winning seven in a row. Warde has three straight home games — Darien, Trinity Catholic and Stamford — on the docket.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brown, Danbury: Crashed the glass on both ends to create second-chance opportunities for the Hatters.
QUOTABLE
“We’re very confident now but we can’t get overconfident,” Brown said. “We still have to keep building as a team offensively and defensively.”
rlacey@bcnnew.com, twitter.com/ryanlacey11
DANBURY 73, WARDE 66
WARDE (8-4, 7-1 FCIAC)
Dan Fitzpatrick 2 0-0 4 Jeff Seganos 0 2-2 2 Matthew Becker 7 4-5 19 Sean Conway 8 7-9 26 Chris Bogan 5 0-0 10 Ethan Wolf 3 0-0 6. Totals: 25 13-16 66.
DANBURY (11-1, 8-1 FCIAC)
Jordon Brown 10 8-10 29 Connor Goodwin 0 2-2 2 Javon Hernandez 4 2-2 11 Keyon Moore 2 3-4 7 Cameron Snow 5 2-2 13 Diante Vines 5 0-1 11. Totals: 26 17-21 73.
WARDE16 13 16 21 — 66
DANBURY21 10 15 27 — 73
3-pointers: W—Conway 3; D—Brown, Hernandez, Snow, Vines.