Lakemen turn back Rams late rally

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Wilson’s Shamus George battles for a rebound with Roy-Hart’s Jackson West (24) and Braden Ricker (10)  during the Lakemen’s win over the host Rams this evening.

A late comeback bid fell short as Roy-Hart dropped a 47-41 decision to visiting Wilson this evening in the season opening Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game for both teams.

Trailing by 8, 37-29, at the outset of the fourth quarter, Roy-Hart put together a 12-5 scoring burst to rally back to within 1 at 42-41 with 34 seconds remaining.

A three by Tysen McCaa ignited that uprising which also included baskets by Matt Aquilina and Braden Ricker along with three free throws by Erique Powell and two by Dan Aquilina.

However, the Rams could not pull even as the Lakemen used three free throws by Aidan Neumann and two by Ryan Hough in the final 30 seconds to lock up the win.

Hough finished with 19, Neumann and Shamus George 8 to lead Wilson.

Dan Aquilina took game high honors with 21 for Roy-Hart as Ricker had 8 and Powell 7.

Wilson jumped out to a 17-14 first quarter lead as Hough scored 9 and Neumann 5. Dan Aquilina netted 11, including three threes, to keep Roy-Hart close.

The Lakemen went on to lead by margins of 23-19 at the half and 35-29 at the thee-quarter mark.

Roy-Hart next visits Medina and Wilson hosts Akron on Friday.

Roy-Hart’s Braden Ricker puts up a shot against Wilson defenders Aidan Neumann (11) and Josiah Lawrence (5).