ROOTSTOWN, OH- On Tuesday evening the Rootstown Rovers played host to the Waterloo Vikings. The Rovers came in looking for their 2nd straight win after dropping their first two games to start the season. The Vikings were looking to get into the win column after losses to Memorial and Western Reserve to start the season. The Rovers would defend their turf with a 50-43 win over the Vikings.
Waterloo got off to a quick start after a Gage Hawley three and Landon McClain bucket put them up 5-0. Blake Mullaly hit his first of five three's on the night to get the Rovers on the board followed up by another basket to tie it up at 5. The Vikings would outscore the Rovers 5-4 the rest of the low scoring quarter to take a 10-9 lead after one.
The Vikings held a 3 point lead early in the 2nd after a Trevor Simons three put them up 15-12. Back to back three's by Zach Hays and Mullaly gave Rootstown an 18-15 lead. A few possessions later Mullaly hit corner three ball that gave the Rovers a 7 point lead at 24-17 with 3:05 to play in the half.
Waterloo would cut it to 5 late in the half after a Drew Hawks score inside, but it was Mullaly again nailing a long 3 to end the 2nd quarter and give his Rovers a 29-21 lead at the break. Mullaly hit four 1st half three's on his way to a game high 15 points.
Mullaly kept it rolling to start the 3rd quarter converting a pair of free throws and then hitting his 5th three of the night to give Rootstown it's biggest lead at 34-21. The Vikings would cut it to 7 after a Matthew Ralston bucket with just under 2:00 to play in the quarter. The Rovers would push it back out to double digits to take a 39-29 lead into the final quarter.
The Vikings would not go quietly as they showed some fight in the final quarter to make it a game. Things looked bleak midway through the 4th after Vikings senior Gage Hawley fouled out with them trailing by 10 points. Waterloo responded by outscoring the Rovers 7-3 to cut the deficit down to 6 at 49-43 with 1:17 to play. That would be the last points the Vikings would score as they couldn't take advantage of the Rovers free throw struggles late. The Rovers hung on for the 50-43 win.
Blake Mullaly was a force for the Rovers with 22 points and 5 rebounds on the night. Dean Abdlrasul was also in double figures with 10 points. Gage Hawley led the Vikings with 12 points.
The Rovers will look to keep it rolling on Friday when they host Aquinas while the Vikings host Lowelville the same night.
Postgame interviews with Blake Mullaly and head coach Bobby Staudt.
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