WILTON — James Maloney is not playing like someone who had been away from varsity basketball for more than two years.

The 6-foot-4 senior recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds on Friday to help lead Wilton to a 64-55 victory over St. Joseph at the Zeoli Fieldhouse.

It was the sixth straight win for the Warriors following a season-opening loss to Pomperaug.

“It becomes really easy when your teammates are finding you for open layups,” said Maloney, who played recreation basketball during his sophomore and junior years at Wilton. “It’s simple. You just have to finish, work and focus. That’s all it takes.”

After being cut from the varsity as a sophomore, Maloney didn’t try out for the team last year as he was looking to win a recreation league championship which didn’t happen.

However, he wanted tougher competition before he graduated and opted to return to the Warriors, a decision that greatly pleased Wilton coach Joel Geriak.

“Tonight was attack inside and James Maloney came through with everything he did tonight. James played a great game. It’s the best I’ve ever seen him play to be honest with you.”

After a back-and-forth first quarter that featured five lead changes, the Warriors grabbed a 17-15 lead on Jack Williams’ runner in the lane with 10 seconds left in the quarter.

Wilton then took control in the second quarter, building a 30-17 lead on Maloney’s layup with 3:55 remaining in the half.

The one-two punch of Maloney and Williams, who led the Warriors with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists, was too much for the Cadets (2-4) to handle.

The Warriors placed three players in double figures as Drew Connolly chipped in with 13 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Wilton kept St. Joseph off balance with strong ball movement and shot better than 50 percent from the field through three quarters while continuing to find the open man, often for layups inside.

“Every practice, we get better,” Maloney added. “We’re starting to gel as a team. It’s really coming together. It’s starting to look nice. It’s starting to look pretty, is what it looks like.”

The Warriors also played a tight zone on defense, keeping St. Joseph mostly on the perimeter.

The Cadets hit nine three-pointers to stay within striking distance but they only attempted two free throws in the entire game.

Omar Telfer hit two wide-open three-pointers from the top of they key in the first quarter but was held to only two points over the final three quarters and finished with 10.

After Telfer’s second three-pointer tied the game at 15-15 with 38 seconds left in the first, the Warriors responded with a 15-2 run.

“We wanted to pack it in,” Geriak said. “A couple times we lost assignments, that’s when they got into the lane, but other than that the game plan worked to perfection tonight.”

St. Joseph sliced Wilton’s lead to 34-27 at the half, then pulled within 34-31 early in the third quarter on a layup by Cameron Menefee, who paced the Cadets with 14 points.

However, Connolly’s three-pointer ignited a 13-0 spurt that allowed the Warriors to built a 47-31 cushion with 2:52 left in the third quarter and essentially put away the contest.

The Cadets finally ended the Warriors’ run on Tim Dineen’s two free throws with 2:18 remaining in the third quarter.

Maloney contributed six points during the burst before his final layup gave Wilton its biggest lead at 58-41 with 4:48 remaining.

“He’s been a gigantic lift for this team,” Geriak added. “I think that’s why we are where we are this year, because we have that big presence.”

The Cadets did cut the deficit to 60-51 on Menefee’s follow with 1:21 left but got no closer.

Connolly and Matt Kronenberg each hit two free throws in the final minute to account for Wilton’s final four points.

Dineen brought the margin back under double figures with a layup in the final seconds.

The Warriors are back in action on Tuesday when they face Fairfield Warde (7 p.m.), the first of consecutive games against the Fairfield schools as they play at Ludlowe on Friday.