Saturday, January 24, 2004

By DAVE WEIDIG
Sports Editor

ZANESVILLE -- Coach Todd Rock has said all along Rosecrans can't rely so much on threes, and it was never more apparent than Friday night.

The Bishops slowed the tempo to their advantage and played solid half-court defense, only to see their hopes for a big Central Catholic League win go spinning off the rim in a frustrating 48-41 loss to visiting Columbus DeSales.

The tall, talented and deep Stallions, who used the fast break to their advantage in an earlier 79-61 win over Rosecrans, struggled a bit offensively in the half-court game. But they escaped thanks to frigid three of 24 shooting beyond the arc by the Bishops, making them five of 43 in two straight losses. Rosecrans (3-3 CCL, 5-4 overall) was just 16 of 54 overall for 30 percent.

"We set plays up during timeouts, we turn the ball over, and no one can finish," lamented Bishops' coach Todd Rock. "We have to finish or at least go to the line.

"Our offensive execution is horrible; we only have two guys that can score right now. We obviously have to get better."

Despite all that, the Bishops had their chances, tying the score three times down the stretch but never able to take the lead as ESPN analyst Clark Kellogg looked on from the visiting stands in Rogge Gymnasium. Kellogg, who signed the game ball for giveaway as well as autographs for many young fans, has a 6-5 freshman son Alex who saw quite a bit of action as the Stallions went 10 deep.

Adam Agin's three from the top of the key with 6:25 left forged a 33-33 tie, and Kolby Knox sank a pair of foul shots at 4:04 to make it 35-35. The Bishops had a chance to take the lead with 2:52 when Jeremy Ridgley converted a rebound basket and was fouled, but missed the foul shot, leaving it at 37-37.

DeSales then took over, 6-6 Joe Schmall hitting a lay-up and guard Ronnie Smith driving the lane for a 41-37 edge. Scott Moyer drained both ends of a one-and-one with 1:21 to keep it close at 41-39. But 6-5 freshman Elijah Allen came up with two clutch steals in the Bishops' backcourt, then drilled four straight foul shots with Smith adding three of four to seal the deal. Rosecrans was just three of 16 from the floor in the fourth quarter including one of 11 on threes.

The Bishops stayed within striking distance throughout but couldn't quite get over the hump and never once led.

Jerod Yakubik, an athletic 6-2 sophomore southpaw recently promoted to varsity, gave Rosecrans a spark off the bench ending the first half. With the Bishops down 22-15, he drove for a layup, Johnny Bills had one stickback bucket and Yakubik another as the Bishops fought back within 22-21 at intermission. And Knox swished a three and Ridgley scored inside as Rosecrans trimmed a 29-23 deficit to 31-30 heading to the final eight minutes.

Schmall led the well-balanced Stallions with 13 points and six rebounds, while Smith added 11 points and Allen chipped in with 10 points and six boards. DeSales connected on a so-so 17 of 41 from the field for 41 percent but hit five of eight in the fourth quarter. It was just 13 of 22 at the line for 59 percent.

Ridgley scored 10 points and snagged 13 rebounds, as the much-smaller Bishops out rebounded the Stallions 34-33. But he was the only player to crack double figures as Knox finished with nine points and five boards and Joe Dalton handed out three assists. Rosecrans was six of seven at the stripe.

DeSales held on for a 48-44 reserve win and also won the freshman game. Andrew Thomas had 12 for the Stallions' reserves. Dan Miller canned 13 for Rosecrans (5-4) and Casey Lepi added eight.

The Bishops must now turn around and travel to Albany Alexander (11-1) tonight after the Spartans decked Tri-Valley Conference rival Meigs 70-59 last night.