UPrep cagers surge past Albion

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 December 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Alex Bison (23) drives on University Prep defender Marique Simkin (3) during the Purple Eagles loss to the Griffins this evening in the consolation game of the Batavia Lions Club Tourament at GCC.

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.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Connor Barleben (44) puts up a shot for the Purple Eagles against Kory Wyatt (25) of the Griffins.

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.