Molloy Pressures Way to Win
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- After falling behind by nine points to Roanoke (VA) Catholic H.S. in the first half, Archbishop Molloy employed a change in stategy.
The Stanners came out and pressed the Celtics relentlessly, and the result was a 79-68 victory that sent Molloy into Monday's USA bracket championship game against Edgewater H.S. of Orlando, Fla.
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Molloy forced 21 Roanoke Catholic turnovers, and enjoyed a whopping 33-9 advantage in the points off turnovers category.
The game turned late in the first half with Molloy trailing 22-13. The Stanners forced a string of turnovers that fueled a 21-11 half ending run. So, despite trailing for much of the first half and being outplayed for much of the opening 16 minutes, Molloy led 34-33 at the break.
The Stanners continued their momentum in the second half, grabbing an early double digit lead. A three pointer by point guard Marlon Smith fanned the lead to 64-47 with 4:01 remaining in the contest.
Smith finished with 21 points and five assists. He got plenty of help from junior swingman Sundiata Gaines (22 points, eight rebounds, three steals) and senior forward Ivan Marnika (13 points, 12 rebounds).
Lithuanian product Tadas Stanaitis, a strong 6-2, 200 pound senior shooting guard, paced Roanoke Catholic with 27 points. He shot five of 10 from beyond the three point arc and 10 of 15 from the floor overall.
Celtic center Paulius Joneliunas, a 6-10 Lithuanian senior who has emerged as a key high major recruiting target this winter, finished with 12 points and nine rebounds in defeat. Elon bound guard Matt Nowlin had a rough day from the floor for Roanoke Catholic, shooting just three of 15 on the way to 11 points.
Roanoke Catholic will face DeMatha Catholic H.S. of Maryland on Monday in a USA bracket consolation tilt.