Cleveland Heights, Ohio - Cleveland Heights came into their matchup winning three of their last five games. They came off a 91-79 loss to Mentor. Euclid’s Thai Duncan came into the matchup hot. He averaged 30 points through his last three games before the matchup. Thai Duncan’s 28 points weren’t enough as the Tigers won 64-60.
I got a chance to speak with Head Coach Jr Bremer after the win.
“We really executed the last two or three minutes which is crucial in close games," said Bremer. "We defended well in those last two or three minutes, and then rebounded the ball that helped us get the win.”
Heights and Euclid came out pressing and looking for open court opportunities. Mike Lewandowski had a good start for the Tigers scoring 10 points. After a barrage of buckets from both teams in the last three minutes, Heights ended the quarter up 20-11.
Thai Duncan was the story of the second quarter for Euclid. He scored double digit points in the period including multiple shots from three. Euclid ended the quarter with a 7-0 run. Duncan, Rodney Smith and Anthony Moore all scored during the run. The half ended with Euclid trailing 32-31.
Both teams started to slow down in the third. Euclid used a halfcourt zone to throw Heights’ rhythm off. Euclid found themselves down 45-43 with three minutes to go. Both teams traded buckets and Antoine Baker made a mid range jumper at the buzzer. The third ended with both teams tied at 49.
A floater from Duncan brought Euclid within one two minutes in. A few minutes later Anthony Moore converted a huge and one dunk. Euclid trailed 57-55 with 4:40 to go. A few minutes later Duncan brought Euclid within one again with an and one bucket. Euclid trailed 59-58 with two minutes to go.
Jayquan Stubbs scored a layup and Myckel Davis answered with a putback to put Heights up 61-60 with 40 seconds to go.
After Lewandowsk split a pair of free throws Euclid still had a chance to tie the game. They trailed 63-60 with eight seconds to go.
Carter Armstrong stole an inbound pass and made a free throw to seal the game. Heights finished on top 64-60.
Jayquan Stubbs finished with 20 points while Lewandowski finished with 16. Thai Duncan led all scorers with 28 for Euclid. Anthony Moore followed up with 10 points.
Heights will be back in action at Strongsville February 23rd at 7 PM.
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