Box Score LOCATION: Millett Hall (Oxford, Ohio)
THE BASICS:
Mount St. Joseph (0-3) traveled north to Oxford, Ohio for the finale of the Miami Invitational on Friday, December 11. The Lions squared of with host Miami, and they equated themselves very well against the Division I Redhawks. Behind a game-high 23 points from Devin Young (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) the Lions were in position to secure a major upset until the late stages of the second half. Eventually falling 79-64, in a game that was much closer than the final score made it seem.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
During the early portions of the first half, the Lions stayed close to the much bigger Redhawks. They kept the Miami lead under 10 for most of the first half, until a late run pushed the lead to a first-half high 14 points. A layup by Young with 36 seconds remaining in the half, settled the first half score at 40-28 in favor of Miami.
The Lions shot the ball well in the first half, going 11-of-25 (44 percent) from the field and 6-of-13 (46 percent) from three point range. The Lions did not attempt a single free-throw in the first 20 minutes of action. With the Lions only having one player over 6'6", they still did an admirable job on the glass in the first-half only being out rebounded 17-12 in the half.
In the early portions of the second half the teams traded baskets, with the Miami leading hovering around the 12-point halftime margin. The Redhawks then spurted out to a game-high 18 point lead 12:23 to play, and looked poised to take control of the game.
The Lions answered back though with a 21-8 run over the next 8:47 of action. Cutting the deficit from 18 all the way down to 4 at one point. With just 3:41 left in the game Tanner Clos (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell Co.) scored in the post, to get the Lions back within five at 65-60. Just 18 seconds later though Clos, who had scored 11 points, all in the second half fouled out. That coupled with the loss of Avery Paddock (Alexandria, Ind./Alexandria) to injury, made the already much smaller Lions extremely small.
Despite the valiant effort by the Lions, Miami would finish the game on a 14-4 run winning by a final score of 79-64 in a game that was much closer than the final score indicates.
STANDOUTS:
As has been the case for much of the last three seasons the Lions were led by the trio of Young, Clos and Brady Thomas (Grove City, Ohio/Bishop Ready). Young had a fantastic overall game with a game-high 23 points, and a game-high 6 assists. Clos added 11 points, all in the second half, 4 rebounds and a pair of steals. Thomas, the Lions point guard despite struggling offensively led the way with a team-high nine rebounds.
The Lions other two starters also had good games as David Luers (Lebanon, Ohio/Bishop Fenwick) was second on the team with 13 points, adding 3 assists and a pair of rebounds. While Paddock added 11 points, 4 rebounds and an assist.
The Lions who only played seven players in the game, got zero points from the bench but freshman guard Willard Cluxton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) did pitch in four assists, while not turning the ball over.
UP NEXT:
The Lions will again take the floor against a Division I opponent, as they travel to Valparaiso on December 21. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 PM.
