West Chester Rustin pulls away from La Salle, wins Triangle Club Tournament Final
BLUE BELL >> IV Pettit paced West Chester Rustin’s offense throughout the evening, hitting a three in each quarter and scoring a game-high 16 points.
Chosen Most Valuable Player of the Triangle Club Tournament, Pettit typified the Knights’ drive.
“It feels great (to win MVP). But most of all, I’m just happy for my team getting the win, getting that first championship,” Pettit said.
The Knights pulled away to a 53-39 victory over La Salle Saturday night in the Triangle Club Tournament Final at Montgomery County Community College.
The Knights went into the fourth quarter tied with La Salle, 33 all. Rustin then went on an 11-2 run to put the game out of reach.
“We were just talking on defense, closing out on their shooters,” Pettit said. “La Salle’s a great team, and we just had to box out for those rebounds.”
Pettit had seven points in the decisive fourth quarter for Rustin. The Knights hit a total of eight 3-pointers for the evening.
“We just moved the ball and found the open shooters,” Pettit said. “And we just knocked ’em down.
“It’s a great way to start the season. It gives us a lot of confidence.”
West Chester Rustin came out hot, hitting a trio of threes to build an 11-5 lead.
Mike Miller, Pettit and Griffin Barouk all connected from deep to give the Knights the early edge.
Rustin stayed in front early in the second quarter, with Jacob Barksdale finding room underneath.
But La Salle began to find its way on the offensive end, with Shane Holland (12 points) getting to the basket and Mike DiPietro connecting on a three.
The Explorers got to within 23-21 heading into the break and were deadlocked at 33 heading into the fourth.
Jake Timby hit a trio of threes in the contest for La Salle and had 11 points in all. But the Knights took the lead early in the fourth on a fast break and never gave it up.
“(Rustin) played well. When we had our chances, I think we rushed a little,” La Salle coach Mike McKee said. “Those are things we can work on. But to (Rustin’s) credit, they made the big shots and they made the plays.
“The thing we have to understand is we have to be ready all the time. They’re good kids. They put in a lot of work since April.”
West Chester Rustin 53,
La Salle 39
La Salle 7 14 12 6 – 39
West Chester Rustin 11 12 10 20 – 53
La Salle: Shane Holland 4 4-4 12, Jake Timby 4 0-0 11, Charles Ireland 2 0-0 5, Mike DiPietro 3 0-0 7, Nix Varano 0 2-2 2, Horace Simmons 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 6-6 39.
Rustin: Bryce Pew 1 2-2 4, Mikey Miller 1 0-0 3, IV Pettit 5 2-2 16, Dan Wethey 4 2-2 10, Griffin Barouk 2 5-6 11, Jacob Barksdale 2 0-0 4, Ryan Seelaus 1 0-0 3, Kolbe Freney 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 11-12 53.
3-pointers: L-Timby 3, Ireland, DiPietro; R-Miller, Pettit 4, Barouk 2, Seelaus.
