Rams rally to down old rival Spartans
Renewing an old Niagara-Orleans rivalry, Roy-Hart rallied from a slow start to defeat Starpoint 63-57 in a non league game this afternoon at Niagara County Community College.
Trailing by 14, 19-5, early in the second quarter, Roy-Hart got back into the game by putting together a key 13-0 run. Aiden Petrie scored 7 and John Conley and Brandon DiNeri both hit threes during that rally which pulled the Rams to within one at 19-18.
The Spartans though answered with a 9-3 run, including two baskets by Tyler Milleville, to take a 28-21 led at the half.
Roy-Hart quickly pulled back to within one, 28-27, with a 6-0 run to open the third period on two free throws by Jamel Johnson Jr. and a pair of baskets by Vinny Buscarino.
The Rams stayed within one, 41-40, at the three-quarter mark as Johnson had a total of 7 in the period, Buscarino 6 and Petrie 4.
Roy-Hart finally grabbed the lead for the first time at 48-47 early in the final stanza after back-to-back threes by John Conley and Buscarino.
Two more threes and a rebound bucket by Buscarino along with two baskets by Petrie and one by Johnson helped Roy-Hart build up an eight point, 59-51, advantage with just :20 remaining.
Four clutch free throws by Buscarino in the final 10 seconds then put a lock on the victory for the Rams.
Petrie finished with 19 and Buscarino 18 to lead the Roy-Hart attack as Johnson added 9, Conley and DiNeri 6 and Brandin Masters 5.
Sam Parise scored 15 and Jackson Griesmer and Evan Floss both had 11 to pace the Spartans. Parise 7 in the opening period.