ELYRIA, Ohio -- Rocky River fell to Elyria Catholic 42-39 in a low-scoring Great Lakes Conference West Division tussle Friday night
The Pirates (7-8, 3-6 GLC West) and Panthers combined for just 11 first-quarter points. Solid defense was on display on both sides in a first half that saw the visitors outscore the home five 16-13.
Elyria Catholic clamped down and allowed just 14 points over the first 14 minutes of the second half. The Panthers (10-6, 6-3) rode that defensive effort to a 41-33 lead with by the 1:40-mark of the fourth. Senior Denny Fischer tripled at that point in the fourth which figured as a big bucket for EC. Fischer drained four 3-pointers in the second half and for the game was the Panthers' leading scorer with those 12 points.
Rocky River finished the game as a minus-5 in turnovers (17 to 12), and the Pirates were outscored 11-6 at the free-throw line. River went just 6-of-11 from the stripe. The Pirates were a plus-9 on the boards (34-25).
Seniors Robby Lang and Justin Gina were Rocky River's leading scorers on the night; they scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
"Our defense was outstanding tonight," said head coach Mike Murray . "We were able to stay in front of them all night and force tough shots."
by Skip Snow
# # # RR # # #