Big 3rd quarter pushes Archbishop Wood to victory over La Salle

WARMINSTER >> With the score tied at 30 after the first half in a Philadelphia Catholic League clash between two rivals, it was evident the first team to make a key adjustment would go home with a win.

“Just playing together, sharing the ball, moving (was key in the third quarter).” Archbishop Wood head coach John Mosco said about. “I think that was the best offensively and defensively that we’ve played (all season).”

A 21-8 third quarter catapulted Archbishop Wood to a 73-63 victory over La Salle Friday night.

“All we talked about was focus on the defensive end,” Mosco added. “We were able to talk and work through screens…they really focused and played together.

Collin Gillespie led all scorers in the game with 23 points.

“It was all about defense that (third) quarter,” Gillespie said despite his point total. “When we hold teams under 10 every quarter and we win the quarter we feel like we’re one of the better teams in the league. And when we get on offense when we move the ball we’re one of the better teams in the league.”

Tyree Pickron added 13 points in the game for the Vikings, and Tommy Funk had 12.

Gillespie had 15 in the second half, which was more than all scorers except one for the game.

Ryan McTamney tallied 11 points in the fourth quarter alone for La Salle en route to his team-leading 18 on the night. The Explorers leading scorer was held mostly quiet however, especially during the pivotal third quarter where he went scoreless.

“We knew where he was, we talked,” Mosco said about his teams defense on McTamney. “In the third quarter we weren’t talking in the earlier games (during the season). We all talked, we were on the same page. We knew where he was and where (Matt) Paulus was.”

Jarrod Stukes added 14 points in the game for the Explorers.

The first half was full of energy and enthusiasm for both teams, which was only fueled by a raucous Archbishop Wood gym. It was fitting the two teams finished the opening half tied at 30.

The first quarter was even the entire way, as the game saw three ties and six lead changes in the opening eight minutes alone. The opening frame also had a play that personified the entire game to end it, as the Archbishop Wood student section was screaming “Airball” at Paulus, only to have the guard can a three at the buzzer to give his team a 15-14 lead as he shushed the crowd.

“We fed off the students,” Mosco said, as his support section would get the last laugh in the second half. “They gave us energy…the students were great tonight.”

Paulus finished as the Explorer’s leading scorer in the first half with eight points behind two triples.

The second quarter was more run oriented, as Wood would score six straight points to take a 24-20 lead and force a La Salle timeout. Stokes would follow with five straight points of his own to give his team the lead back, however.

Collin Gillespie led the Vikings in scoring in the first half with ten points.

Archbishop Wood, who many people had winning the Catholic League this season, now has some momentum to build on.

“Going into the playoffs it’s good to be on a roll,” Gillespie said. “Team chemistry is up right now so we just want to keep that up going into the playoffs and start winning more games.”