HOT SHOOTING, STRONG FIRST HALF DEFENSE LEAD TO IRISH VICTORY

In the first ever league match-up against crosstown rival Jerome, the Irish varsity rode hot outside shooting and a solid defensive effort in the first half to a 60-53 win on Friday night.

Scioto was 8-10 from beyond the three point line in the game. The 80 percent success rate breaks the team record of 63.5 percent set in 1995 and tied in 2007 against Watkins Memorial.

Six of the treys came in the first half as the Irish broke out to a 37-19 lead. The Irish were able to get good looks at the basket by moving the ball well and making the extra pass. The Irish had 10 of their 15 assists in the first half.

Defensively, they held Jerome to 7 points in the second quarter and 19 points the half in part due to forcing 9 turnovers.

Jerome concentrated on denying the outside shot in the third quarter and the Irish scored 8 of their 11 points inside the paint to take a 48-33 lead into the final quarter.

The Irish spread the floor in the fourth quarter and when they missed shots, the Celtics got some opportunities in transition. They hit a few treys in the last couple of minutes of the game, including one just before the buzzer that yielded the final score.

For the game, the Irish hit 19-38 field goals and 14-24 free throws. They were outrebounded 25-24 and each team had 11 turnovers.

Leading the way in scoring for the Irish was David McKinley with 17 points. He hit all four trey attempts he took in the first half and finished the game 5-6 beyond the arc. He had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Deji Olatoye scored 13 points and had a team high 6 rebounds. Rainer Duzan had 11 points, a team high four assists and 2 steals.

Also in the scoring column were Bradley McDougald (9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Marco St. John (7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and Jamare Mills (3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist).

The Irish are now 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the OCC Cardinal. They have won six games in a row and next play against Marysville at home on Friday, January 16.