Lourdes Holds Off Men’s Basketball, 83-73

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SYLVANIA, Ohio – Rebounding was once again a factor as the undersized Marygrove men’s basketball program fell to the host Lourdes Gray Wolves by an 83-73 final tally on Wednesday (Feb. 11) inside the Tam-o-Shanter Center in Sylvania, Ohio. The Gray Wolves out-rebounded the Mustangs 54-34, leading the hosts to victory behind a 56-32 advantage in points in the paint and a 25-12 edge in second-chance points.

The Mustangs fall to 3-24 on the season with the loss and 1-18 in WHAC play. The Gray Wolves move to 15-12 on the year with an 11-8 in conference play.

The story of the first half belonged to the Gray Wolves’ Zach Steinmetz. The junior forward was a force for the undersized Mustangs, posting 17 points and 11 rebounds in the first half on 7-of-14 shooting. Five of Steinmetz’ 11 rebounds came on the offensive end as the Gray Wolves held an 11-6 edge in second chance points. The 17-point first half was a product of strong post play as the junior led the Gray Wolves to a commanding 30-12 advantage in points in the paint over the game’s opening half.

Steinmetz’ dominant half helped the Gray Wolves fend off a couple Mustang runs as the hosts held a 41-34 lead over the Green and Gold heading into halftime.

The Mustangs were balanced offensively in the first half as Diante Taylor (Battle Creek, Mich./Central High School) led four players with five-or-more points by dropping in nine of his own in 19 minutes.

Rebounding was the difference in the first half as the Gray Wolves owned a 29-15 advantage overall and a 10-4 edge in offensive boards to hold off the Mustangs throughout the opening stanza.

The Mustangs battled back to get within six, 73-67, when Taylor connected on a layup off of a nicely-placed Kenneth Miller (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc High School) assist. Down two possessions, the Mustangs went cold from the line to allow the Gray Wolves to close the game on a 10-6 burst to hold off the Green and Gold late.

Steinmetz led all scorers with a career-high tying 30 points and added a career-best 20 rebounds to help the Gray Wolves hold on to the 10-point conference win. Jake DuPree tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds, combining with Steinmetz for 30 boards from the pair – only four shy of the Mustangs team total for the night (34).

The Mustangs were paced by leading scorer Darryll Dixon (Flint, Mich./Hamady High School) with 18 points. Dixon was followed by Taylor who chipped in with 17 points and nine rebounds, while JuJuan Armstrong (Detroit, Mich./UM-Dearborn) checked in with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Redshirt freshman guard Tyler Sykes (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson High School) put forth a well-rounded effort, tallying 15 points, three rebounds and a pair of assists. Miller quarterbacked the club with a team-high four assists.

The Mustangs return to action Saturday (Feb. 14) at 3 p.m. when they play host to Cornerstone. The Mustang Sports Network will carry the game via live video on marygrovemustangs.com/live beginning at 3 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected] /* */ | @tjohnston56
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