In a defensive slugfest, it was Warren’s ability and experience to close that was the difference against Bradford on Wednesday.
The Dragons went 11-of-12 from the free throw line over the final 2:59 to earn a 45-33 victory in a game that was much closer than the final score would indicate.
“I told the guys we’re being tested and finding out where we’re at,” said Bradford coach Brian Hobbs, whose team lost by 11 to an equally talented DuBois Central Catholic squad on Monday. “As much as you don’t want to lose, I think this week has been really good for us so far.”
Neither team led by more than five in the second half until a pair of free throws by Ryan Skerda gave Warren a 39-33 lead with 1:21 play.
The turning point may have come before that, however.
Warren was able to break Bradford’s press and Jacoby Passmore appeared to have an easy layup, but Ryan Boyer came out of nowhere for what looked to be a clean block with 2:59 left.
Boyer, however, was whistled for his fifth and disqualifying foul and Passmore calmly sank both free throws.
That sparked an 11-1 run by Warren to end the game — all from the foul line.
“That’s just them (Warren) being confident in those situations,” Hobbs said. “After last season, we’ve only been in a couple of close games. They (Warren) see this type of game almost every night in District 10 AAA. Their experience in those situations paid off.”
Warren (4-1) led by as many as eight, 30-22 in the third quarter after a layup by Max Gross, but Bradford seized the momentum back as Andy Pantuso hit a three at the third-quarter buzzer to make it 30-25.
Bradford (3-3) then closed to within one, 30-29, after a layup by Tyler Nuzzo off a feed from Pantuso and a free throw by Andrew Bacha, part of a 7-0 run.
The Owls weren’t quite able to get over the hump, however, as Evan Suppa followed with an offensive putback, but Bradford wouldn’t get any closer the rest of the way.
“We really found out how we have to play defensively from Monday night’s game,” noted Hobbs. “Defensively I thought our effort was better. I liked that.”
What Hobbs didn’t like as much was the rebounding margin.
The Dragons held a decisive advantage on the boards, spearheaded by Gross, who had 13 rebounds to go along with his 13 points.
“The Gross kid is just an athlete,” Hobbs said. “He’s an animal and he really gets after it. Some of those other guys just read the ball well off the rim and put themselves in good position. That’s something we have to do.”
The Dragons never trailed in the game and jumped out to an 10-3 lead after a layup from Gross.
Bradford, like it did throughout most of the game, responded, as the Owls went on a 7-0 spurt to tie the game, keyed by a three from Bacha.
It was part of a deliberate offensive half for both teams, as they took their time with possessions and waited for good shots.
The Dragons were held to seven points in the second quarter, a three by Gross and jumpers by Devin Nowacki and Suppa.
Bradford, meanwhile, scored the final five points of the half — all by Pantuso, to tie the game at 17-17 going into the locker room.
And, as much as Hobbs liked the overall defensive effort, he also noted that his team also has to start making more shots.
“These last two games, you’re playing at a higher level and you’re shot has got to get off quicker,” he noted. “Rebounding and finishing are our next steps. We have to focus on that now. We’re getting good looks, guys just have to be confident when they have the ball and put it in the hole.”
Up next for the Owls is another District 10 foe, at Eisenhower on Saturday. It will be the end of a three-game week before they host Mercyhurst Prep on Monday.
NOTES: This was Warren’s ninth-straight win over Bradford dating back to 2007 … Matt Dennis led the Owls with four rebounds … Bradford’s next win will eclipse its total of last season.
WARREN (45)
Nowacki 2-0-0-4, Evan Suppa 6-1-2-13, Ryan Skerda 2-6-6-10, Max Gross 4-4-4-13, Passmore 1-3-4-5, White 0-0-0-0, Hulquist 0-0-0-0, Lindquist 0-0-0-0, Totals 15-14-16-45
BRADFORD (33)
Andy Pantuso 5-4-5-15, Boyer 2-0-0-5, Bacha 1-1-2-4, Nuzzo 1-0-0-2, Dennis 0-1-2-1, Paterniti 0-0-0-0, Charnisky 1-2-2-4, J. Pantuso 1-0-0-2, Terwilliger 0-0-0-0, Totals 11-8-11-33
By Quarters
Warren 10 7 13 15—45
Bradford 5 12 8 8—33
Three-point FGs: Warren (1) — Gross; Bradford (3) — Bacha, Boyer, A. Pantuso
JV Score: Warren 39, Bradford 36, OT (Bradford – Deondre Terwilliger 11 points; Warren – Logan Galloway 13 points)
