ROOTSTOWN, OH- The Rootstown Rovers welcomed in Portage County foe Garfield on Monday night for the last game before the Christmas holiday. The Rovers were looking to snap a three game losing streak while the G-MEN were trying to bounce back from their first loss of the season at Field on Saturday. Garfield put on an all around dominant 2nd half performance outscoring the Rovers 39-12 en route to a big 65-41 road win.
Garfield started out fast scoring seven points in the first few minutes forcing a quick timeout by the Rovers. It would be a 9-0 run to open the game before Blake Mullaly knocked down a three for the Rovers first points.
Blake Mullaly get the Rovers on the board in the 1st
That three would spark a Rovers 13-0 run as they took a 13-9 lead. Each team would covert two more shots each to close the quarter with the Rovers leading 16-14. A little bit of controversy to close the quarter as Garfield swatted a Rover three point attempt at the rim in what was close to being called a goal tend. Rootstown coach Bobby Staudt argued the call but the refs ruled it was short of the rim.
The Rovers outscored Garfield 6-2 to begin the 2nd quarter taking a 22-17 lead. After an Aidan Hill basket for Garfield, the Rovers would go on a 7-0 run to take a 10 point lead at 29-19 following three free throws from Mullaly who was fouled on a three point attempt from the corner. Garfield would rally and score the final seven points of the half to cut it to a 29-26 Rovers lead at the half. Mullaly had a game high 15 points to lead the Rovers while Preston Gedeon had 14 for the G-MEN.
The third quarter completely swung this game around. The G-MEN would score the first six points after back to back buckets by big man Cade Rock.
Cade Rock scores inside for the G-MEN in the 3rd
That made it a 13-0 run going back to the end of the 2nd quarter. Landon Rodstrom would hit a big three for Rootstown to tie it up at 32. From there it was all G-MEN as they would score the final 13 points of the quarter to take a commanding 45-32 lead after outscoring the Rovers 19-3 in the 3rd.
Dean Abdlrasul started the 4th quarter for Rootstown with a bucket inside to cut the deficit to 45-34. Garfield would then go on a 12-0 after three straight baskets by Gedeon to take a 57-34 lead and essentially put the game out of reach as they maintained at least a 20 point lead the rest of the way. Gedeon was big for Garfield in the 4th scoring 10 points as they closed out the 65-41 win. It was an all around dominating 2nd half performance by the G-MEN who outscored the Rovers 39-12.
Preston Gedeon hits a big corner three for the G-MEN in the 4th
Preston Gedeon with another big scoring night as he dropped in 29 points with six three balls. Cade Rock contributed a double/double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Aidan Hill also reached double figures with 12 points along with 6 rebounds. Blake Mullaly was tops for Rootstown with 17 points.
Postgame interviews with Preston Gedeon, Cade Rock and head coach Andrew Olesky.
Commentaires