UPrep cagers surge past Albion
BATAVIA – A free wheeling, fast breaking University Prep of Rochester quintet used big scoring bursts late in both the first and second quarters to key a 76-56 victory over Albion this evening in the consolation game of the Batavia Lions Club Tournament at Genesee Community College.
Marique Simkin scored 20 points, Brandon Hunt 17 and Qullian Leach-Alexander 16 to spearhead the UPrep attack.
Clayton Stanton scored 15 and Alex Bison and Connor Barleben 10 each to lead the way for Albion which also got 7 from Andrew Burroughs, Austin Loyd and Ryan Fannin.
Albion did build up an 11-2 lead in the first six minutes on a rebound bucket, a jumper and two free throws by Stanton along with a rebound basket by Barleben and a three-point play by Bison.
However, UPrep came storming back with a lightning quick 15-0 run in the final two minutes, highlighted by two threes by Hunt and one by Leach-Alexander, to rally into a 15-13 lead.
Albion did retie the contest three times early in the second quarter first at 15-15 on a rebound bucket by Stanton, then at 20-20 on a three by Burroughs and finally at 22-22 on a lay-up by Barleben but the Purple Eagles could not regain the lead.
The Griffins again answered right back, this time with a huge fast break sparked 17-2 run, to regain the lead for good at the half by 14 at 39-25.
Three straight baskets by Simkin, two on fast breaks off turnovers, highlighted that decisive uprising.
UPrep extended its advantage to 20, 57-37, after three quarters and Albion could get no closer than 14 down the stretch.
Assistant Coach Tim Archer guided the Purple Eagles for the second game in a row in the absence of Coach Brennan Meakin who is sidelined due to an illness.
Albion, which is now at 2-4, next hosts Akron Friday in a Niagara-Orleans League make-up game.