Kent, Ohio - At the Kent State University MAC Center the St. Edward Eagles and Archbishop Hoban Knights faced off in a Division 1 Regional semi-final matchup. St Ed's finished the regular season 21-2 while Hoban finished 22-3.
With the Eagles’ first shot, Lucas Perusek hit a mid-range jumper to give his team two quick points. Hoban’s William Scott Jr. hit two 3-pointers in this quarter starting off the game strong for the Knights.
St Edward’s Max McLellan got a put back off of a missed jump shot, and after that the quarter ended St. Ed;s leading 15-11.
To start the second quarter, Andrew Griffith drew a charge sending the ball back to Hoban. Scott Jr. hit two more 3-pointers giving Hoban a two point lead early on in the second.
However a McLellan layup gave the Eagles took the lead right back. Hoban’s Sam Greer hit a 3-pointer, but St. Ed's Cameron Grant hit two out of three free throws to end the half. We were tied at 20 after two.
To start the second half, Grant hit a hook shot giving the Eagles the lead early on. For St. Ed's, Wendell Henry shot two technical free throws and only made the first.
Scott Jr. made an and-one, stopping the Eagles’ run. The score was 31-30 with Ed's holding a slim lead after three.
Danny Lavelle hit a 3-pointer to start the fourth, giving the Eagles a four point lead. However, Scott Jr. scored five points in a row for his team, but they still trailed.
Andrew Griffith made a 3-pointer to give Hoban the lead. Perusek missed an open shot with a chance to tie the game late, and Hoban was able to hang on for a 44-40 win.
Leading the way for Hoban was William Scott Jr. with 27 points. Max McLellan had 11 for St Ed's.
Hoban advances to play the winner of Stow-Munroe Falls and Walsh Jesuit on Friday in the Regional Final at the MAC Center.