TCL BOYS Goals help in Lisbon's road win
East Palestine's Chad Jones had 24 points in a losing effort.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EAST PALESTINE -- Lucian Smith and Jay Yorty combined to score 40 points as the visiting Lisbon Blue Devils topped East Palestine 74-55 in a Tri-County League basketball game Thursday.
Yorty collected 24 points and Smith 16 for the Blue Devils (5-2, 2-1), who shot well from outside.
Chad Jones, who has been the Bulldogs' steady scoring leader all season, had 24 points.
"We needed this win," Lisbon head coach Joe Siefke said. "We went 3-0 over the break and right now we're feeling good.
"It's important to get a quality win on the road. Especially with the big week we got coming next week."
With Jones collecting seven points, East Palestine (3-5, 2-1) led 15-13 after one period and built a 23-19 edge by hitting their first four shots in the second session.
Missed opportunity
The Bulldogs then had an opportunity to further extend their lead but they missed on an easy opportunity from in close.
In a span of just over two minutes, Lisbon went on a 10-2 run and, behind some late quarter heroics from Smith, Lisbon took a 35-30 halftime lead.
With the score 35-34 early in the third quarter, the Blue Devils turned in their most impressive spurt of the night, fashioning a 14-2 run.
Back-to-back fielders by Dom Defilitto capped the surge as Lisbon pulled out to 49-36 at 1:04.
"In the first half I was pleased with the way we played on offense but defensively they pounded us inside and we didn't box out anyone," East Palestine coach Jeff Berger said. "Now we're in a situation where both games next week are must-wins for us."