PAISAA Boys Basketball: Episcopal gives Malvern scare, but falls

Episcopal Academy had third-seeded Malvern Prep on the ropes in the first round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association tournament until the Friars came to life in the fourth quarter.

Malvern used a late run to hold off the Churchmen, 70-66.

Trailing 64-56, the Friars went on a 13-0 run to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals against the winner of sixth-seeded Kiski School and No. 11 Shipley. Spencer Cochran scored 28 points and Deuce Turner 20 for Malvern.

Andrew Alikakos and Sam Malloy tallied 13 points each to pace four players in double figures for the Churchmen. Alex Capitano finished with 12 points while Will Delaney had 11.

Hill School 56, Haverford School 54 >> The second-seeded Rams (18-6) connected on just enough free throws in the fourth quarter (8-for-15) to avoid the upset.

Zach Lezanic, Caleb Dorsey, Antoine Buchmann and Gabriel Moss hit two free throws apiece in the fourth to send the Rams into the quarterfinals against the winner of the game between No. 7 Phelps School and No. 10 Springside Chestnut Hill. Lezanic led Hill School with 12 points. Daniel Nixon pitched in with 10.

The No. 15 Fords used 3-point shooting to stay within reach. Christian Clover hit a pair of triples en route to a game-high 19 points. Zach Genther his four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points. Haverford School made nine 3-pointers overall.