Lyndhurst, Ohio - Brush closed out the Chet Mason Invitational looking for a victory on their home floor. St. Vincent- St. Mary came and fought until the end. Their efforts weren’t enough, Brush won 55-54.
Brush came out early with intensity on the defensive end and it set the tone for the rest of the game. Head Coach Chet Mason spoke on it after the game.
“That’s the way we want to guard, that’s one of our non negotiables you gotta play D.”
The game started out with a slow pace, Brush took a 9-4 lead about halfway through the first. SVSM started to implement their full court press to switch up the pace.
In the second quarter SVSM started to get stops and force turnovers, this helped them find their rhythm offensively. Playing in the open court off of turnovers helped bring the lead to 22-17 with about four minutes left. They ended the half trailing 30-23.
The Fighting Irish third quarter momentum carried into the third, they continued to get easy baskets around the rim. John Whorton and Rayshawn Hamilton scored a few layups bringing it within two halfway through the quarter.
A few minutes later Whorton scored a jump hook to give them their first lead of the game, they led 37-36. SVSM went into the fourth down 42-40.
After a few buckets from both teams the game was tied at 46 with 4:30 to go. A few minutes later Whorton converted an and-one layup to put them up 50-48. Yahir Hill answered with a layup of his own to tie it again. Hill was able to get to the basket for another layup, Hamilton did the same for SVSM tied it again with around a few minutes to go.
A few possessions later Brush found themselves down one point. Damari Dammons got fouled on a drive and capitalized making both free throws. Brush ended the game on top 55-54.
Aliyy King was named MVP of the game, him and Dammons led Brush with 12 points, Hil finished with 11. The Fighting Irish MVP of the game was Rayshawn Hamilton finished with 11, Decarlo Prince had 11 as well.
Brush will be back in action vs Richmond on January 23rd 7:30 PM at Brush. They will look to extend their win streak to three.