WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — Three nights earlier, the Wellsville boys basketball team narrowly escaped Franklin when Max Jusianiec hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift his team over the Quakers.
On Monday, though, the Lions didn’t need any last-minute plays to win. In a matchup that crossed state lines, Wellsville played consistently over four quarters to dispatch Bradford High, 55-49.
Bradford came out ready against what looked for the most part to be an evenly matched Lions team, but in the end, the final score would come down to key offensive possessions, rebounding and lock-down defense by the Lions.
“I thought our first quarter and about halfway through our second quarter was where we played very well,” said Bradford coach Brian Hobbs.
During this early portion, Bradford controlled the court, outscoring the Lions while carrying momentum over from its season-opening victory Friday night,
Then, a bit of a lull came along for the Owls.
For a five-minute stretch in the second quarter, the Owls failed to put the ball in the basket. Trailing 22-19, the Lions came out of the locker room at half and from there, the team never looked back.
The Lions scored on three straight possessions to open the third quarter, and according to Hobbs, “it took a little bit of the wind out of our sails.”
While the Owls (1-1) lost much of the spark it displayed in the team’s home-opener Friday night against Kane, they refused to give up, playing tough until the final seconds.
“I’m proud of the way our guys played. We played hard but I don’t think we executed on the offensive end like we needed to tonight,” Hobbs said.
Tyler Gigliotti netted 19 points to lead all scorers while chipping in six assists and four steals for the Owls, while Steven Knowlton led BHS in the paint with four rebounds and eight points of his own.
Compared to Friday night’s last-second victory over Franklin, the Lions handled things more efficiently Monday night, locking down on defense and taking advantage of key Bradford turnovers.
While Max Jusianiec led the Lions with 15 points and Alec Acampora followed with 13, Wellsville coach Raymie Auman said defensive efforts by both teams made all the difference Monday night.
“They were playing great defense and it really forced us to step up our own game and slow them down from scoring,” Auman said. “Kudos to Bradford, they didn’t give up and really stepped up their pressure to make it a close game.”
On paper, it looks like Bradford had the better game. The Owls outshot the Lions from both the field as well as from the free throw line, while committing 10 fewer turnovers.
Most fans may look at a team’s offense as the deciding factor in most wins. The difference in Monday’s game, however, came in the Lions defensive efforts.
The Lions grabbed 23 total rebounds compared to Bradford’s 17, and when they caused turnovers, they made them count.
“A lot of people don’t realize the effect a great defensive possession can have and how it can turn into a quick offensive transition,” Auman said.
While his team used their time more effectively Monday night than it had Friday, Auman said it could still improve.
“I think we’re getting better at handling the end of games, but we still aren’t great. We’ve got to take a lead and work the clock and the court better,” he said.
As for Hobbs and the Owls, they’ll look to turn the tables defensively and regroup when they meet Portville Friday in the first round of the Otto-Eldred tournament.
AT WELLSVILLE, N.Y.
Bradford (49)
Manion 3 1-2 7, Babcock 3 0-1 7, Pattinson 1 3-4 5, Knowlton 3 0-0 8, Gigliotti 6 6-8 19, Kane 0 1-2 1, Bryant 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 11-17 49.
Wellsville (55)
Acampora 4 4-5 13, Jusianiec 4 3-6 15, A. Cook 3 2-3 8, Caldwell 0 2-2 2, McKinley 1 3-6 5, Reed 2 0-0 5, C. Cook 3 1-2 7. Totals: 18 15-24 55
Bradford11223149
Wellsville06193755
Three-point goals: BHS 4 (Knowlton 2, Babcock, Gigliotti); Wellsville 4 (Jusianiec 2, Acampora, Reed). Total fouls: BHS 22, Wellsville 19. Fouled out: Manion (BHS).
JV: Wellsville won.
