Big first half lifts Bucs over Timberwolves

WALLA WALLA–After a big, 67-60 league win over Tekoa-Rosalia the night before, the Pomeroy Pirates couldn't contain DeSales's Spencer Green, who buried six three pointers on the way to the Irish's 63-41 win over Pomeroy here Saturday. The Pirates are 4-3 overall, 3-1 in league.

After last Tuesday's non-league tilt versus Touchet, the Pirates will visit Garfield-Palouse on Friday, Jan. 13, then meet Liberty Christian Saturday night in the Pomeroy gym. They visit Dayton-Waitsburg in Dayton Jan. 17.

DeSales, led by Spencer Green's 26 points, took command early and capitalized on lackluster first and third quarters by the Pirates for a 63-41 win. Green and Pirate Trace Roberts with 11, were the only players in double digits.

"We fought hard and battled all night, but struggled with turnovers," observed Head Coach Chris Wolf. "We made a lot of unforced turnovers that led to transition baskets for DeSales. We didn't handle their pressure defense as well as I hoped we would."

The Irish scored 14-8 in the first quarter, then the Pirates improved their offensive play for a 17-15 second quarter, trailing DeSales 31-23 at the break. The third quarter was devastating for the Buccaneers as the Irish nearly doubled them up, leading 51-27 going into the fourth quarter.

"Defensively we struggled rebounding the ball and that led to too many second-chance points," Wolf said.

"When we didn't turn it over tonight," Wolf added, "we were able to get good looks, but we couldn't knock down our open threes. Trace Roberts led the way with 11 points and seven rebounds. Trevin Kimble added nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals."

Against Tekoa-Rosalia in Pomeroy last Friday, the Timberwolves hung with the Pirates the entire game, trailing by three after the first eight minutes, 40-32 at halftime and 54-46 after three quarters, with the Pirates going on to win 67-60.

Timberwolf Isaac Bone was hot for T-R, scoring 31 points. But Kimble was at the top of his game, scoring 32, rebounding seven and counting four assists and steals.

"This was a big win for us tonight," Wolf said. "We competed for 32 minutes and got a big league win."

Wolf credited the defense for its role in the win, especially against the hot-shooting Bone. "Isaac Bone is a great player and he scored 31 points, but we really made him earn them with most of his shots well contested," Wolf said. "He had to attempt 29 shots to get his 31 points, and we had a hand in his face on most of them with great help-side defense when he went to drive."

The offense was in fine form as well, Wolf said. "Offensively we played our best game of the season with only four turnovers in the first half, which allowed us to score 40 points. We had a tough stretch in the third quarter with some turnovers that allowed them to come back and take the lead but were able to maintain our composure and regain the eight-point lead at the end of the third quarter and were able to hold that lead to the end of the game.

Ollie Severs gave the Pirates a good boost, too, scored 23 points and snared 13 rebounds, and played hard on the block all game long, Wolf said.

DeSales 63, Pomeroy 41 (1/7)

Pom 8 15 4 14-41

DeS 14 17 20 12-63

Pomeroy-Severs 3 0-0 8, Bott 2 0-0 4, Jett Slusser 1 0-0 3, Kimble 2 4-6 9, Schmidt 0 0-1 0, Reisinger 1 1-1 3, Jayden Slusser 0 1-2 1, Roberts 3 5-8 11, Herres 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 11-18 41.

DeSales-Spencer Green 10 0-0 26, Carter Green 1 0-0 2, Lesko 2 3-5 8, Baffney 3 3-4 9, Bingham 1 2-2 4, Sisk 2 0-2 6, McCollaugh 0 2-2 2, Arceo 3 0-0 6, Totals 22 10-15 63

3-point goals: Pomeroy-Severs 2, Jett Slusser, Kimble. DeSales-Spencer Green 6, Lesko, Sisk 2.

Tekoa-Rosalia 60, Pomeroy 67 (1/6)

TR 15 17 14 14-60

Pom 18 22 14 13-67

Pomeroy (67) Severs 10 3-4 23, Bott 1 0-0 3, Jett Slusser 0 3-4 3, Kimble 8 14-19 32, Magill 2 0-1 4, Roberts 0 2-6 2, Totals 21 22-34 67.

Tekoa-Rosalia (60) Martin 4 2-3 12, Campbell 5 4-8 17, Bone 12 4-6 31, Totals 21 10-17 60.

3-point goals-Tekoa-Rosalia 8 Martin 2, Campbell 3, Bone 3, Pomeroy 3 Bott, Kimble 2.