Mentor, Ohio- The Mentor Cardinals (11-5) hosted a GCC matchup versus The Cleveland Heights Tigers (12-8). In their last matchup the Tigers won, 78-70. Mentor ability to match their physicality helped them come out with the win this time.
Head Coach for Mentor Bob Krizancic spoke briefly after the win.
“I really liked our toughness tonight in the paint.. I liked the toughness factor and the physicality that we’re showing on the floor,” remarked Krizancic.
Heights got a bunch of open looks but couldn’t capitalize early. Mentor on the other hand got going from three early. Jack Kennedy hit a three two minutes in to take a 5-2 lead.
Heights started to find their footing but Mentor continued to knock down shots. Ayo Olulami hit a three near the end of the quarter to give Mentor a 22-11 lead going into the second.
Mentor started to slow down in the second and Heights took advantage of turnover opportunities. Bryce Darden scored a layup off of a turnover to push the lead to 26-18 with four minutes to go.
Iyan Bremer knocked down a three a few possessions later. They trailed 26-21 at the 3:30 mark. Mentor went into the half leading 32-27.
Heights took early control of the third with a 9-0 run. Bremer hit a three, Carter Armstrong and Noah Blue scored layups. They led 41-37 with about four minutes to go.
Mentor took the momentum back with a couple of big three point shots. Dominic Baroni hit one at the buzzer to give the Cardinals a 50-45 lead going into the fourth.
Heights got to rim early on in the fourth after breaking Mentor’s press. Jamell Stephens cut the lead to 52-51 with five minutes to go. Kennedy hit a three to extend the lead to 55-51.
A few minutes later Kennedy drove to the rim for an and one layup through traffic. Bernard Gnjatic scored right after and Mentor led 62-56.
Heights wouldn’t quit as Blue got an and one of his own to cut the lead to 62-59, one minute remained. The Tigers scored a free throw to cut it to 62-60 with 50 seconds left.
From that point Mentor closed it out from the free throw line with Kobe Frasure- Azzano knocking down multiple and Kennedy hitting the last one. After Kennedy’s free throw, Mentor ended on top 67-62.
Mentor will be back in action Feb. 11 at home versus Lutheran East. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m.
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