FLORENCE, Ala.-The No. 18/NR Christian Brothers University Bucs moved into sole possession of third place in the Gulf South Conference standings as they won 81-67 at North Alabama Tuesday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Lions (8-7, 3-5 GSC) took a commanding early lead with a 15-2 run capped by three Jeff Hodge free throws that gave them a 15-6 lead with 16:01 remaining in the first half.
• CBU (13-2, 5-2) answered with a 17-5 run to take a 23-20 lead on a
Joe Laravie (Kettering, Ohio/Alter HS) triple with 9:33 remaining in the half.
• After seven lead changes in the first 16 minutes, the Bucs provided the eighth and final one late in the half as they went on an 8-0 run capped by a
Jacob Lyons (Hernando, Miss./Christian Brothers HS) layup that gave them a 37-32 edge with 45 seconds remaining in the half.
• A quick 7-0 burst capped by a Laravie layup gave the Bucs their first double-digit lead of the game at 52-41 with 15:32 remaining.
• CBU used an 11-4 burst to extend their lead to 70-51, their largest of the night, on a
Jeff Larkin (Cincinnati, Ohio/La Salle HS) triple with 9:33 remaining. They never allowed UNA closer than 10 again in the final nine minutes.
KEY STATS:
•
Adam Dieball (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East HS) posted game-highs of 19 points and 11 assists with four rebounds. He shot 7-of-14 overall, including 1-of-4 from three-point range.
• Laravie scored 18 with four rebounds, shooting 7-of-10 overall including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
• Larkin scored 16 with six rebounds and five assists, shooting 6-of-10 including 2-of-5 from deep.
•
Brad Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder HS) scored 10 points with six rebounds, five assists and no turnovers in 32 minutes off the bench, moving him up to second in the nation with a 4.7 assist-to-turnover ratio.
• The Bucs shot 57.9 percent (33-of-57) overall, including 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from three-point range. UNA finished 38.1 percent (24-of-63), including 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from beyond the arc.
• UNA out-rebounded the Bucs 37-30, including a 17-5 edge in offensive boards. The Lions committed 14 turnovers to CBU's 11.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Bucs have a critical home weekend on tap, as they host the two teams that are tied for first place in the GSC standings at 6-1. No. NR/25 Valdosta State visits Canale Arena Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., while No. 15/14 West Florida follows on Monday.
