FROSH HOLD ON FOR 48-45 WIN

By hitting 8-12 free throws down the stretch, the Irish freshman team avenged it’s only loss thus far this season and posted a 48-45 win over Westerville North.

Scioto trailed 33-32 heading into the fourth quarter, but took the lead for good on a Patrick Rooney lay-up with 5:27 to go. The Irish forced the tempo and attacked the basket. Jeremie Nsumbu stole the ball following a Westerville North defensive rebound and completed a traditional three-point play when fouled on the lay-up.

When Ryan Gibson fed Kris Simonton in transition, the Irish led 41-33 with 3:27 to go in the game. The Warriors weren’t done though and were able to get as close as 45-42 after a made trey with 17 seconds to go. Nsumbu hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead, but another Warriors trey cut the lead to 47-45 with 5.7 seconds to go.

Nsumbu split a pair of free throws on the following possession and a long three pointer from the Warriors glanced off the side of the rim and backboard at the buzzer.

The win makes the Irish 10-1 overall and 9-1 in OCC Cardinal games.

Ryan Duncan led the Irish with 13 points, including 5-6 at the free throw line. Ryan Gibson joined him with 13 points and scored in all four quarters. Nsumbu scored 10 points. Other Irish players in the scoring column were: Rooney (7), Simonton (4) and Matt Strausbaugh (1).