Northwest 64 Louisville 42

[Yappi]

by starkravingdad

Northwest erased a half-game difference in the NBC title chase and forged a 3-way tie for first with a convincing 64-42 win over rival Louisville on a rare Saturday night game.

In their fifth game in nine days, the Indians played tough pressure defense and forced 21 Leopard turnovers to lead the entire game. Balanced scoring and rebounding helped the Indians secure their 4th victory in that 5-game span.

The first quarter flowed back and forth with scoring runs by both teams. NW jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but Louisville countered and cut the NW lead to three at 12-9. The Indians had a flurry to end the quarter with an 18-11 lead.

NW turned up the defensive pressure in the 2nd, limiting the Leopards to just 7 points for the entire quarter. NW hit the offensive boards and had some good interior passing that led to lay-ins. The home crowed roared in delight as the Indians ran off the court for halftime with a 33-18 lead.

Louisville fought back in the third behind the strength of Mike Brown's outside shooting and Matt Schooley's rugged play on the inside. They got the NW lead down to nine, but that was as close as it would get.
NW pushed the lead back up to 13 at the end of 3.

An early 4th quarter surge by NW put the game out of reach, and both teams eventually emptied their benches, an unusual rout in this series which is typically very close.

Paul Hensley, Jim Shiplett and Tyler Krzynowek scored 12 points apiece for the Indians and junior Tim Caillet added 10. Hensley led the Indians with six rebounds. Brown led the Leps with 17 while Schooley added 11 points and 4 rebounds.

NW is tied with Alliance and Marlington for the NBC lead. NW and Marlington meet Tuesday night in Canal Fulton.