The Bruins boys varsity basketball team made the trip to Medford Friday night to take on the 3-1 St. Mary’s Crusaders. Coming off of some disappointing losses, the Bruins came out running and out hustled the Crusaders to start the game.
Bruins center Jason Vanginderen #10 established himself under the basket early and though the Crusaders had a distinct height advantage inside. Vanginderin hit for three baskets and 6 points in the period, but it was senior point guard Evan Fronckowiak #12 who refused to be contained early. Fronckowiak hit six buckets including a 3 pointer for 13 points of the Bruins 25 points the first.
Taking a 25-13 lead into the second period of play, the Bruins struggled to adjust to changes the Crusaders made at the break. The Crusaders stiffened the defense in the paint, denying easy baskets inside and cleaning the rebounds limiting follow up shot opportunities. Six Bruins scored in the second period, but the Crusaders put 19 points on the scoreboard behind 10 points from their senior point guard cuting the lead to just 5 points as the Bruins held on to a 37-32 lead into the half time break.
Bruin junior forward Logan Holler #33 hit a 3 pointer, a basket and 2 of 3 free throws to lead Bruin scorers in the 3rd period. Vanginderen followed with 3 inside baskets for 6 points as the Crusaders and Bruins matched each others scoring at 19 in the period sending the Bruins into the 4th period hanging onto a 5 point lead.
Leading 56-51 to start the fourth quarter, the Bruins could not slow the Crusaders down and St. Mary’s got to the line 13 times in the fourth. As Bruins shooting cooled down, the Crusaders hit for 25 points in the period, taking their first lead of the game off a 3 pointer after tying the game at 62-62 with under 4:00 minutes to play.
After the Crusaders size advantage closed down the middle, the Bruins outside shot wouldn’t fall as the Bruins only managed only 10 points in the period as the Crusaders went on to take the win 75-66, dropping the Bruins to 1-3 in league play.
The Bruins will be home next Tuesday evening against the 1-3 South Umpqua Lancers at 5:30pm at Bruins Arena.
