Cleveland Heights, Ohio — Lutheran East came into the matchup having never beaten St. Ed's in program history. The St. Edward Eagles came into the matchup hot, winning 5 of their last 6 games averaging over 70 points during the stretch. Despite a slow scoring night from star center Jesse McCulloch, Lutheran East pulled out a 52-37 win.
Both teams started out holding their own defensively. St. Ed's forced some turnovers in the halfcourt early. Lutheran East threw a zone at them as the quarter progressed. Bryan Vlosich hit a three to end the quarter. The Eagles went into the second up 8-5.
Anthony Bruce contributed well in the second scoring seven points. Lutheran East started to force turnovers of their own in the quarter. Around the midway point Lutheran East started to hit their stride.
Anthony Bruce hit a three and Chauncey Brashers knocked down a midrange to put Lutheran East up 14-10 with 3:30 to go. The Falcons ended the quarter with a few more easy runout layups from Bruce off a couple of turnovers.
Christopher Hill ended the half driving past a defender with a spin move getting a layup at the rim. Lutheran East led 22-15.
Both teams came out of the half ready to play, trading baskets. A timeout was called just two minutes in the quarter after multiple scores. Brashers and Hill got to the rim for layups.
The Eagles knocked down back to back threes one of them coming from Wendell Henry. They trailed 28-21. Lutheran East continued to force turnovers and get touches inside the lane.
Around the three minute mark Bruce made multiple plays in the lane. One being a euro step layup, and the other he found Alan Mallory for an alley oop finish.
Alan Mallory scored an and one layup on a feed from Christopher Hill right before the third quarter buzzer sounded. Lutheran East led 38-26.
The Eagles came back fighting by getting looks at the basket and asserting themselves at the free throw line. Henry got a put back layup and the Eagles trailed 40-35 with 4:40 to go.
From that point on it was all Lutheran East, as they closed the quarter with a 12-2 run. Ronald Taylor knocked down back to back threes and Bruce got a couple of easy layups during the run. The Falcons ended the game winning 52-37.
Anthony Bruce led the Falcons with 15 points, three steals and four rebounds. Ronald Taylor followed up with 11 points, three rebounds and three threes. Jesse McCulloch finished with six points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and four assists.
Wendell Henry led the Eagles with 15 points, three rebounds and two threes. Brian Sullivan added 10 points and three assists.
I got to speak with Head Coach for Lutheran East Sam Liggins after the win. He held the win with high regard.
"This is our first time beating them in school history. Much credit to that program Coach Flannery over there he's been doing it portably since I was in high school," said Liggins. "Anytime you can compete with a team like St. Eds. and walk away with a win man I mean it's a blessing."
Lutheran East will be back in action Tuesday February 13th at home against Mentor for their senior night. Action will start at 7:30 PM.
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