Quarter 1

The Cubs go with the starting lineup Mason Butler, Neil Owens, CJ Jones, Anthony Lucenti, and James Keefe. The starters have an ice-cold start to the game, not scoring until a mere five minutes were left in the quarter. A few buckets from James Keefe got the team going and back into the game. The Cubs run was ignited by some energy off the bench from Colby Brooks who helped the Cubs take an early lead of 7, a lead they extended to 9 by the end of the quarter.

Score 19-10

Quarter 2

The Cubs open the quarter much better this time, going on an 11-2 run before the Pioneer coach decides that he needs a timeout. The key difference this quarter is that the three ball has begun to fall for the team. The team need to watch the foul count, though, as they are already in the bonus with eight fouls while 6 minutes remain in the first half. The game begins to slow in the closing minutes of the first half as Providence begins to get themselves into foul trouble to try to slow down the Cubs’ scoring run. The free throws help extend the lead of the Cubs as they only commit one foul until the two minute mark. The fouling frenzy puts the Cubs up by 23 by a score of 43-20. The team shoots remarkably well while their press to 2-3 zone defense has caused the Pioneers real fits. The Cubs manage to end the quarter well, leading 45-23 at the half.

Score 45-23

Halftime

At the half, the Cubs seem to be winning in the transition game. They shot poorly to open the game, but the team’s ability to force turnovers in their press helped the team build confidence on the offensive side of the ball. The team was also aided from key players’ ability to find their  jump shot in the second quarter. The dry spell that opened the game helped keep the Pioneers competitive but, with shots finally falling, the Cubs took firm control of the game. The Pioneers had real problems when the team switched into the 2-3 zone, lacking the ability take advantage of some of the space they created for open jumpers.

Quarter 3

The Cubs open the quarter with a quick dunk from James Keefe but proceed to commit two quick fouls to help the Pioneers chip into their lead. The Pioneers successfully slow down the game and convert on a few buckets, but a mini-run by the Cubs helps quell the momentum. After a timeout, though, the Cubs give up a few threes, and the Pioneers cut the lead to 16. The Cubs’ problem is quite clearly taking care of the ball as they constantly turn the ball over, allowing some hope to creep into the Pioneer home crowd. The team also has foul problems that clearly initiated in the beginning of the half. The Cubs rack up nine team fouls with two minutes remaining in the quarter. The Cubs also switch to man defense in an attempt to stop the Pioneer run, which has cut the lead to just 9. The team can’t seem to keep from fouling as they send the home team to double bonus before the end of the quarter. The Cubs win back some momentum with a big stop and dunk to bring the lead back to thirteen but can’t stop the opposition who trail by only eleven entering the fourth.

Score 59-48

Quarter 4

Some foul trouble for both starting guards sees sophomore John Belardi get some significant minutes. The Pioneers have a lot of pick and roll action, and the Cubs can’t seem to guard it. Bucket after bucket for the Pioneers means the lead is just 7. The Cubs inability to produce much offensively is remedied slightly by the fact that the Pioneers have bailed them out with fouls on multiple occasions. The fouling defensively is a Cub problem, too, though. The Pioneers manage to cut the lead to 5 with just under six minutes remaining in the game. The Cub must find a way to force turnovers and get stops. The Cubs have moved away from the press and the zone defense and into a half court man defense. The move hasn’t done them many favors, but a few key timeout from head coach Jamal Adams helps the team cling to a 7 point lead with just under two minutes remaining. The key difference is the team’s decision to switch on screens instead of trying to hedge them as they had tried previously. The change, at least briefly, helps the Cubs’ defense. A three straight out of a timeout helps the lead become just four with a minute and thirty seconds left to play. A crazy sequence of events, where the Cubs nearly turn the ball over and make the game a one-possession contest, leaves one of the Pioneer players hurt with 56 seconds remaining. The Pioneers hit a big shot with 26 seconds remaining to make the game a two point affair. The Cubs attempt to run out the clock but get fouled with 15 seconds remaining. A missed free throw from the one and one means the Pioneers get the ball back with a chance to win the ball game with 13 seconds on the clock. The Pioneers miss a shot but recover the rebound and drain a three-point buzzer beater to win the game.

Score 70-71

The Cubs’ next game is November 17 at 6:00 pm.