NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (Feb. 7, 2025) -- A big second half -- on offense in the third quarter and on defense in the fourth -- helped the Pirates eclipse the host Eagles, as Rocky River defeated North Olmsted 61-54 on Friday night.

The Maroon & White overcame two first-half runs by the Eagles -- and 11-4 surge at the outset and an 11-1 spurt late in the second quarter -- in a game that saw the Buccaneers earn a road win against a hot-shooting home five. Rocky River won despite trailing by five (34-29) at the half and seeing the Eagles shoot 57.1% (20-of-35) through three quarters.

A highly efficient second half for the Pirates was driven by good handles on the basketball and by a key advantage on uncontested, clock-stopped 15-footers. The Roundball Raiders were tagged with just three turnovers after halftime (10 for the game). At the free-throw line, River went 7-of-10 in the second half and 11-of-16 (68.8%) for the game. North Olmsted only generated half as many looks from the stripe: they went just 2-of-8 for the game.

Rocky River (12-7, 9-4 Cleveland West Conference) held North Olmsted (5-14, 4-8) to just five points on 2-of-9 shooting in the fourth period. With the victory, the Pirates sealed a two-game season sweep of the Eagles: the Maroon & White defeated North Olmsted 59-56 in Rocky River Jan. 11. With the loss, North Olmsted fell to 2-8 at home.

Individually, Jacob Radcliffe and Michael Swallow were each credited with 21 points. Swallow's 21, a career-high, came on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor. He went 3-for-3 from distance and also registered a game-high nine rebounds. Jackson Paige chipped in with 10 points and four steals.

Dylon Susan logged 17P, 6R, and 4S for the Eagles. Naoki Sato had 18P and four assists.

The Pirates will now close out their regular season with three straight home games. That stretch will get underway Tuesday with a non-conference tilt against John F. Kennedy. 

by Skip Snow

# # # RR # # #