THE SKINNY
Leading 44-27 after three quarters, Rich East (9-3, 2-2) held off a ferocious rally from Rich South (8-8, 2-2) to earn the Southland Conference win in Richton Park. The Stars closed within 47-43 with 2:45 left, but the Rockets answered with a 7-0 run to retake control.
TURNING POINT
Rich East forced seven turnovers in the first four minutes of the game, racing to a 12-2 lead. The Rockets led 18-7 after one and never looked back.
THE STAR
Quinton Moore had a game-high 19 points for Rich East. He scored eight in the first quarter and his short jumper with 2:32 left in the game stopped a 9-0 Rich South run.
BY THE NUMBERS
Don Henderson had 16 points and nine rebounds while Marsean Ross contributed nine points for Rich East, which was 22 of 48 shooting from the field. Denzel Kimbrough (15 points, five rebounds), Jeremy Ruffin (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Bryce Lydon (nine points, six rebounds) led Rich South.
QUOTABLE
“As a senior, I felt like I had to be a leader down the stretch. I knew we just needed to play defense and rebound and we’d be fine.” — Henderson
