Starting Five:
PG - 6’3” Jr. John Belardi
SG - 6’3” Sph. Jalen Cox
SF - 6’7” Jr. Jack Kresich
PF - 6’7” Jr. Remington Rofer
C - 6’7” Sr. Colby Brooks
Quarter 1
Losing the tip, the Cubs are able to hold off the Golden Knights, earning but missing free throws on the on the other end. The first score of the game comes at 6:30 and sends the home crowd into a frenzy for the senior night matchup. The Cubs give up more points at 5:48, but hit their opening bucket just ten second later to make it a one-score game. Following the Brooks bucket, the Golden Knights hit an and-one runner but miss the free throw. Offensively, the Cubs get back on the board at 4:39 thanks to a Rofer layup. Kresich ties the game on the next possession, but the Golden Knights find an open three-point shooter to respond. Kresich again find the bucket, but Rofer forces a charge to prevent Saint Francis points. Belardi is fouled on the fast break, allowing him to hit two free throws with 2:48 left in the quarter. The Cubs are called for an offensive foul the next time down the floor but make up for it with a steal and Rofer layup. With 6 seconds left in the quarter, Suceveanu gets himself a put back and extends the Cub lead to 5.
Score 14-9
Quarter 2
The quarter opens with two made free throws from the Golden Knight guard, followed by two more free throws to make it a one-point contest. Suceveanu breaks the drought with a layup to extend the lead at 6:18, but the Golden Knights come back with an emphatic dunk just 9 seconds later. Brooks gets fouled on the next Cub possession, allowing him to make two free throws. A timeout is called by the Cubs; the Golden Knights earn free throws right after. The one and one opportunity is missed, and Rofer hits two free throws right after. Saint Francis gets two consecutive buckets, good for 5 points, before Cox earns free throws at 4:06. With the score tied, Cox makes one of two, but the Golden Knights hit a three in response. Dylan gets a layup to tie the game at 3:30, but the Golden Knights earn free throws. The free throw is missed, and Dylan hits a second runner to regain the lead. Saint Francis follows with another 5-0 run, leading by 3 when Rofer earns more free throws. He hits both, cutting the deficit to one. A pair of calls go against the Cubs, allowing the Golden Knights to hit a three to make it a two-possession affair. The Golden Knights call timeout with 34 seconds left in the half, needing just 10 seconds to score and extend the lead. A Cub turnover means the Golden Knights hit another three, ending the half on a 7-0 run.
Score 27-36
Quarter 3
The starters return for the beginning of the second half, surrendering two open looks and two points to open the half. Brooks has the ball stolen from him but comes up with an emphatic block to avenge the mistake. Belardi scores an and-one off the break, scoring the first Cub points of the half. Straight after, Cox steals the ball and Brooks scores in transition. Brooks puts a Rofer miss back in, cutting the lead to 4 and forcing a Golden Knight timeout. Straight after the timeout, the Cubs are called for the foul, allowing the Golden Knights to extend the lead by another point. A Kreisch three brings it within two, but the Golden Knights hit a runner and transition layup to steal back the momentum. Missed Cubs shots, allow an opposing 8-0 run. The 10-point deficit means Coach Adams needs a timeout to help his team regroup. The clock reads 2:53 when play resumes. Rofer gets a missed shot from Cox and turns it into free throws, hitting one of two. The Golden Knights create and hit a wing three before Brooks hits a layup. A Roquemore layup and Kresich layup prove meaningless when the Cubs give up another three, extending the deficit to 11. The Cubs call time, failing to score for the rest of the quarter. They do, however, give up a tip with 2 seconds remaining, leaving them down 13 with just one quarter left.
Score 42-55
Quarter 4
The Cubs give up free throws to begin the quarter, falling down 15 as a result. On the other end, a pass goes straight through Belardi’s legs, allowing for another Golden Knight three. The next possession ends with another Cub turnover, forcing another timeout. Suceveanu hits two free throws, allowing the starters to return. Cox and Kresich hit quick shots, cutting the lead to 13 with 4:06 to play. The Golden Knights hit a layup in transition but have their next steal and layup rejected at the rim by Kresich. The Golden Knights continue their dominance through the final two minutes, outscoring the Cubs thoroughly. The highlight of the final seconds is a 5 point solo effort from Freeark.
Score 71-55