SALEM Potters defeat Quakers

East Liverpool used a 12-2 run to hand Salem a 77-46 defeat.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SALEM -- Using a 12-2 scoring run in the final three minutes of the third quarter, East Liverpool topped Salem 77-46 Friday night in John Cabas gymnasium.
Salem (1-2) trailed 45-35 with 4 minutes, 51 seconds remaining before East Liverpool took command and built a 57-37 lead heading into the final period.
"This was a good win for us," said East Liverpool coach Nick Aloi, "especially after we started the season sluggish.
"We executed well and had some good looks at the basket tonight."
Balanced attack: The Potters got balanced scoring as Josh Reed connected on five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points.
Brett Green contributed 15, while Shawn Walton and Roosevelt Kirby finished with 12 apiece. Travis Young led the Quakers with 17 points.
Twice the Potters (2-1) put together 6-0 runs while using a more deliberate and patient offense throughout the third quarter.
Reed capped the first 6-0 run scoring his 21st point and giving East Liverpool a 51-31 lead at the 3:40 mark.
Walton completed the other 6-0 run, connecting from inside at the buzzer as the Potters continued to hold a 20-point lead.
Three times in the first quarter East Liverpool built leads of nine points, including a 22-13 margin heading into the second period.
After hitting their first three shots and four of their first five, the Potters completed the first quarter making 10-of-14 field goals while not committing a turnover.
Tough inside: Salem, which had difficulty getting inside looks early, managed just nine shots in the first eight minutes of competition but stayed close thanks to Travis Mong, who used a pair of 3-pointers while scoring 10 of the Quakers' 13 points.
Leading 24-16 early in the second quarter, East Liverpool went on a 9-0 run in just 1 minute, 28 seconds, giving the Potters a 33-16 lead at 4:57.
The Potters continued the surge connecting on their first five shots to give them an impressive 15-of-19 field goals at that point.
By halftime, East Liverpool was 17-of-25 and held a 38-28 margin at the break. Reed helped trigger the lead with 14 points, 12 coming from 3-point range.
"Our main concern coming in was matching up against them [East Liverpool]," said Salem coach George Spack.
"We knew if they shot the ball well against the zone, we would be in trouble and they did.
"We also wanted to slow the pace a little, but they are a tough team," Spack added. "They hit a couple of easy shots early and then went inside on us."