Big fourth helps East rally past Ursuline

January 21, 2012 at 12:03a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Faced with the prospect of playing his third overtime game in a week, East High’s Mike Hornbuckle decided to take matters into his own hands against Ursuline on Friday night.

Hornbuckle scored 11 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Panthers to a 48-45 decision over the visiting Irish, giving East (8-4) its fourth straight win.

“My team needs me in the clutch and quite frankly, I want the ball in my hands when the game is on the line,” Hornbuckle, whose team had beat Liberty and Mooney in overtime games over the previous seven days. “To come from behind and win like we did tonight is a great feeling.

“Our shots didn’t fall in the first half, but you have to credit the Ursuline defense because they were all over us and we had to alter quite a few of our shots.”

Ursuline guard Ryan Strollo scored six of his 12 points in the opening quarter to help Ursuline to a 14-9 advantage. Ursuline’s defense then took over in the second period, holding the Panthers to just three free throws as the Irish (7-5) took a 21-12 lead.

The 12 points were East’s fewest of the season in the first half.

“Our kids don’t quit,” said East coach Mark Cherol. “They dig in when their backs are against the wall and as a coach that makes you really appreciate their effort.

“We’re starting to play together as a team and we’re getting better each and every game. That being said, we still have room for improvement at both ends of the court.”

In the third quarter. East’s Glen Gabriel and Devonta Fleetion hit back-to-back 3-pointers to key a 7-1 run, helping East pull within three, 21-18, just 81 seconds into the second half. Ursuline followed with a 9-2 run behind five points from Ralph Naples.

In the fourth, the Panthers used an 11-2 run to take their first lead, 37-35. After falling behind 45-40, Kevin Jackson’s three-point play keyed East’s 8-0 run to finish the game.

“We panicked down the stretch; it was that simple,” said Ursuline coach Keith Gunther said. “With a little over two minutes to go and us up by five we took a couple of ill-advised shots and committed far too many costly turnovers.

“We need to better understand game and clock management.”