Irish down Purple Eagles in tourney semi

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Clayton Stanton (31) looks to pass against Notre Dame defenders Alec Covel (12) and Charlie Herbert (44) during the Purple Eagles loss to the Irish this evening in the opening round of the Batavia Lions Club Tournament at Genesee Community College.

BATAVIA – Pulling away down the stretch, Notre Dame downed Albion 55-40 this evening in the semifinal round of the Batavia Lions Club Tournament at Genesee Community College.

Trailing 35-34 at the three-quarter mark, Notre Dame rallied with a big 21-5 fourth quarter scoring burst to notch the victory and advance to Monday’s championship game.

Tim McCulley scored 8 of his game high 26 points, Alex Domkowski 5 of his 10 and Jason Hart 4 of his 8 in the decisive final period for the Irish.

Albion had rebounded from a 29-20 half-time deficit into the narrow 35-34 lead by outscoring Notre Dame 15-5 in the third period.

Des Blackmon and Manny Thompson both had two buckets and Ryan Fannin, Clayton Stanton and Austin Loyd one each during that stretch as the Purple Eagles used an effective fast-break attack to get back into the game.

Loyd finished with 9, Stanton 8, Thompson and Connor Barleben 6, Blackman 4 and Fannin and Alex Bison 3 each.

Breaking away from a 7-7 deadlock at the end of the first period, Notre Dame used a 22-12 second period scoring edge to open up the 29-20 half-time advantage. McCulley erupted for 13 points, including three threes, to lead that Irish uprising.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Des Blackmon (21) drives to the basket against Dylan Fix (30) of Notre Dame.

Roy-Hart 72, Alden 63
ALDEN – Trailing 40-30 at the half, Roy-Hart rallied to outscore Alden 42-23 in the second half to claim a 72-63 victory this evening in a non league game.

Alex Stoddard poured in 27 points to lead the Roy-Hart attack as Cody Breedlove added 11 and Andy Xapsos 10.