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River Turns Back Linsly

Photo by Cody Tomer Linsly’s Jimmy Zecca (0) goes to the basket against the defense of River’s Tanner Brown.

WHEELING — When you are the No. 2-ranked team in Ohio you will always get your opponent’s best shot. Such is the case for the River Pilots.

Coach Mark Romick’s charges, the second-rated team in the latest Division III poll, turned back a valiant upset bid from Linsly on Friday night at Stifle Fieldhouse, pocketing a hard-earned 52-43 nod.

In the process, River improved to 10-0 and will play host to Frontier on Monday. The hard-luck Cadets of James Wallace, meanwhile, dropped to 1-9 and will visit Crestview tonight.

“When you are unbeaten and ranked as high as we are teams are going give you all they have. Linsly played really well and did a great job defensively,” Romick said. “But I told our kids no one expected us to be where we are at now except ourselves. They believe in each other.”

River could not shake Linsly until the game’s final minutes. The Pilots led 14-12 after one quarter and 22-19 at halftime.

The Cadets remained in striking distance, trailing by five, 34-29, entering the final quarter.

Lukas Isaly, however, proved the difference in the fourth. The All-Ohioan delivered eight points and three nifty assists to salt the verdict away for the Pilots.

After Linsly sophomore Trevin Tush drained a 3-pointer with 1:14 showing to draw the hosts to within 46-41, Isaly meshed four free throws, the final two coming with 18 seconds to play, to hold the Cadets at bay.

Isaly’s strong finish capped a 22-point effort. He also stuffed the stat sheet with six assists, six rebounds and three steals.

The multi-talented guard was no one-man show, however. Junior John Murphy delivered a solid 12-point effort. Senior Cody Hupp garnered eight points while rugged senior Drew Dietz finished with seven points and eight rebounds.

“We are a blue-collar team. The players know and accept their roles,” Romick said. “Lukas got into some foul trouble but made the plays down the stretch.

“We also had trouble with Linsly at our place. It was tied at halftime before we pulled away. They are a much better team than their record indicates. I have an enjoyable bunch to coach. The winning is a bonus.”

Senior guard Jimmy Zecca was the lone Cadet to reach double figures, netting 16. Jon Milton was next with eight.

“We are making progress. We continue to get better. We just can’t get over the hump,” Wallace said. “I was proud of our effort, especially on the defensive end. We just need to get a win or two to build out confidence.

“River is a quality team. Isaly is a special player.

“We will keep working and striving to get better. I cannot fault our effort.”

The contest was cleanly played as the Pilots committed just nine turnovers. Linsly had 11.

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