Pittsburgh, PA - The Redhawks battled with the Spartans this afternoon in the Kerr Fitness and Sports Center at La Roche University.
Starting for Case Western Reserve (CWR) was Cole Frilling, Brian HInes, Mitch Prendergast, Griffin Kornaker, and Robert Faller.
The Redhawks started Kadyn Hannah, Devon Darrell, Isaiah Thomas, Desmond Ross, and Joe Pipilo.
First Half
Pipilo started the game out in a large way with a big block against a lay up from Faller.
With this momentum Ross was able to grab a steal from Faller who passed it to Thomas for a quick two point basket.
After a missed shot from teammate Devon Darrell, Thomas came back with a tip-in lay up, making the score Redhawks 4, Case Western 0.
This however, didn't last long. Cole Frilling from CWR saw the Redhawks four points and raised them a three-point field goal, assisted by Hines. Frilling continued in this roll and after one possession by LRU, he had another jumpshot that gave the Spartans a one point lead (5-4).
After some quick subs by La Roche the Redhawks get back on the board. Thomas hit a three-point bucket assisted by Pipilo to let the Redhawks take the lead once again.
This was answered with a layup from Frilling, assisted by Kornaker (7-7).
With a made shot (three-pointer) from Pipilo, Todd McGuinness (CRW Head Coach) has decided he's had enough and called a thirty second timeout.
The timeout unfortunately did not have the desired effect, and the Redhawks are the first on the board after the timeout.
Daniel Florey was the first Spartan on the board out of the time out with two made free throws (9-13) bridging the gap between Central Western Reserve and La Roche to four points; still in favor of the Redhawks.
By the time the 10 minute mark of the half hit the score was 20-12 in favor of La Roche. This however was where the turning point started for CWR.
Brian Hines started the trend with two made free throws. Desmond Ross for the Redhawks added a lay up to their score, but Mitch Prendergast (CWR) made a lay up of his own.
Kornaker made the next basket for the Spartans, a two point layup, slowly closing the gap. After a rebound from Luke Thornburn, and a hard pass down the court to Prendergast, and another layup, making the score 22-20, Spartans only down by one, Hermie Carmichael (LRU) called his first timeout of the game.
The timeout had the opposite effect and Hines for Case Western made the tying layup (22-220.
Once the Redhawks lost their lead it became a battle for them to regain it. From here on out La Roche and Case Western traded back to back three pointers and layups, as well as multiple steals.
At the end of the half the score was 33-31, in favor of the Spartans.
Second Half
Out of halftime the first on the board was CWR, Frilling hitting a two point field goal. This became a trend and the Spartans gained a ten point lead over LRU before Carmicheal called his second timeout of the game (41-31).
Desmond Rossl was the first Redhawk on the board with a free throw (44-32). He was followed by his teammate Devon Darrell who also contributed a layup.
After another made layup from LRU's Elliot, Case Western calls a 30 second timeout (49-36).
This timeout, unlike their first, had the desired effect and Griffin Kornaker hit a three point shot, assisted by Prendergast (52-36, Spartans).
LRU at the 10 minute mark was calling a 30 second timeout the score was 63-48 in favor of the Spartans.
The Redhawks started to make their comeback with 6:55. Joe Starzynski hit a three pointer that became the turning point for LRU.
From here, La Roche was slowly able to work their way back from a 15 point deficit. Devon Darrell added a layup, and Starzynski hit another three point field goal. The Redhawks were able to bring the score to 77-74, only down by a three points
What led up to this was two free throws made by Devon Darrell, two free throws made by Desmond Ross, and Darrell again with a jump shot.
Out of the time out the Spartans went to the line and ranked up two free throw points. After this, Carmichael called a timeout. Isaiah Thomas hit a three point shot the next possession, assisted by Darrell.
Unfortunately, with no other option other than to foul to gain possession of the ball, none of the Spartans missed a foul shot during this time.
The Redhawks were not able to capitalize on their scoring run, and fell to the Spartans 85-79.
Final Thoughts
The leading scores for Case Western Reserve were Mitch Prendergast with 18 points, Ryan Newton for 17 points, and 14 points for Cole Frilling. Brian Hines led the team with rebounds with 11, and Griffin Kornaker had the highest amount of assists with seven.
For La Roche the leading scorer, and he came in off the bench was Joe Starzynski with 17 points. Shortly behind him was Desmond Ross. Devon Darrell, Isaiah Thomas, and Michael Brooks each had 11 points. Thomas was also the team leader of rebounds with six. Brooks led the pack with two steals.
