Mustangs surge past rival Rams

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Izaiah Rhim drives in against Roy-Hart defender Lance Krieger for two of his career high 31 points. The action took place during the Mustang win over the host Rams this evening.

A huge third quarter scoring burst keyed Medina to an 80-53 victory over host Roy-Hart this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League game.

Izaiah Rhim poured in a career high 31 points to spearhead the Medina attack as Brendan Luthart added 12, Jalin Cooper 11, Alex Allis 8, Jorge Phillips 6, Nate Sherman 5, Brian Fry 4, Tyler Chinn 2 and Tavian Rhim 1.

Jake Bruning scored 15 and Charlie Bruning 12 to lead Roy-Hart as Charlie Brigham added 8, Noah Kindron and Jon Huntington 5, Blake Halstead and Brandon Laforme 3 and Lance Krieger 2.

Alex Allis puts up a three for Medina as Lance Krieger defends for Roy-Hart.

Trailing 32-31 at the half, Medina took control by exploding for a huge 30-7 scoring surge in the decisive third quarter which was marred by a mini brawl.

Luthart scored 11, including three threes, and Rhim 10 on three layups and a pair of rebound buckets to lead that uprising as the Mustangs roared out to a commanding 22 point, 61-39, advantage at the three-quarter mark.

Rhim kept the hot had by scoring 10 more in the final stanza which saw the Mustangs lead by as much as 30, 80-50.

However, the first half was much closer.

Medina did jump out to a 7-0 lead at the outset as was up 16-8 late in the period as Rhim hit three baskets from close range and Allis and Sherman each chipped in with a three.

Up 16-11 at the end of the opening period, the Mustangs extended the lead to 11, 26-15, three minutes into the second quarter after a 10-2 run which included a layup off a steal by Sherman, a rebound bucket by Rhim and a three by Allis.

However, Roy-Hart came battling back to close the period with a big 17-5 run and rally into a 32-31 lead at the half.

Jake Bruning led that Rams rally with 10 points, including a three and a four point play off another three, as Charlie Bruning added a pair of baskets and Huntington hit a three.

Medina though answered back with a huge 30 point uprising to regain control in the decisive third period which saw tempers flare on the frigid evening.

Medina is now 2-0 in the league and Roy-Hart 0-3.

Roy-Hart’s Blake Halstead battles for a rebound with the Medina duo of Brian Fry and Jalin Cooper.