CAL Boys Get First LIT Victory In OVERTIME
CAL 69 DeSales 66
Fueled by the slow pace of the game and hot shooting by DeSales, CAL could not run, gun or score. Down by as many as 17 in the 3rd quarter things were looking bleak. The fourth quarter started with CAL down by 13 while only scoring a total of 35 points in three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the pace picked up and our defense caused some key turnovers and we started hitting shots. With one minute left to go in the fourth we finally tied the score and sent the game into overtime. In the overtime CAL really took charge and the result was a historic first LIT win for CAL boys.
A few key moments came when Colin Lopez was fouled while shooting two 3-pointers and nailed his free throws. Drew Mumford hit two key threes. Tyler Stocking hit a key basket while Jake Edwards got a key five-second call on their point guard. Mike Arnold battled foul trouble all night but played well. Henderson and Bierbaum kept the ball alive on the boards. Henderson had 14 pts, 2 blocks and 9 rebounds, Lopez led in scoring with 19, and Bierbaum had 9 rebounds, led in 3-pointers made, had 17 total points and three steals. Arnold had 6 points, Edwards had 2 points and 2 steals, Stocking finished up with 4 points.
LIT Round Two
CAL 61 Eastern 69
The boy’s second game in the LIT set us up with a familiar and tough opponent with No. 4 ranked Eastern. Hungry to advance in the tourney with another win, the boys came out ready to play and executed a very good game plan. By playing tough defense, running the offense at a slower pace, shooting 50% on field goals and three-pointers and shooting 75 percent from the line kept the outcome of the game in question until the end.
Down by 10 at halftime we came out in the third and played them even for the quarter. In the fourth quarter, the game really picked up as the CAL boys continued to play hard and the shots continued to fall. Cutting the Eastern lead to seven with 22 seconds to go, CAL had the ball and a chance close the gap but the ball didn’t bounce our way and we ended up losing by eight.
Collin Lopez led in scoring with 18, hitting three out four three-pointers. Chas Bierbaum once again played a monster game hitting five out of eight three-pointers for 15 points and grabbing six rebounds. Tim Henderson was smothered all night by the Eastern defense and still managed to score 15 points and grab 6 rebounds. Mike Arnold shot 75% from the free throw line while making some key free throws. Drew Mumford shot 50% from the 3 point line hitting 2 key shots while scoring 10 points. Jake Edwards ran the offense as directed and helped make the Eastern press ineffective. While close is never good enough CAL demonstrated tonight that we can play with anyone at any given time.
