Linsly Can’t Solve Pioneers
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WHEELING -- The OVAC 3A champion Linsly boys' basketball team faced its toughest test of the season on Tuesday.
The Cadets hung around and made several runs but couldn't quite close the gap as Western Reserve upended Linsly 69-55 inside the Stifel Field House.
Tyler Linhardt, who is committed to the University of Washington, netted 16 points in the victory, as did teammate Trey Autry.
"They are by far the most talented team we've played this year," Linsly coach Dave Wojcik said. "They have length and there is a reason (Linhardt) is going to Washington. He can score from 3 and he can take you off the bounce. They are a good team.
"We didn't shoot the ball great and we didn't play smart at times. When you play in these types of games, every possession matters and we didn't take advantage of that."
Western Reserve flexed its muscle early by taking a 23-14 advantage into the second quarter before enjoying a 38-27 halftime cushion.
Josh Haskell netted 10 of his 13 points in the first half, while Damarious Owens turned in all 10 of his points in the first two quarters for Western Reserve.
Linsly shot 7 of 20 from 3-point range in the first half and finished 13-for-41 from 3, while connecting on just six 2-point field goals in the contest.
"We didn't shoot the ball very well," Wojcik said. "When you play in these types of games you have to make shots and rebound the basketball."
Western Reserve used an 8-0 spurt in the third to help extend its lead to 54-37 after three but the Cadets reeled off a 10-2 march to open up the fourth -- cutting the deficit to 56-47.
However, the margin was still too large for Linsly to overcome down the stretch and the Pioneers pulled away late.
Carter Anderson paced Linsly with 15 points, followed by Caleb Murray with 14 points, Raef Wykes with 11 and Nate Coleman with seven.
"Credit (Western Reserve coach Peter Hutchins)," Wojcik said. "We've known each other for a long time. They cause a lot of issues with their length. We made some runs and we played hard but we just couldn't get over the hump.
"I talked to our guys and said, 'You only get so many opportunities and we let an opportunity slip away,'" Wojcik said. "Now, we have to bounce back (today)."