Kalin Fisher, defense lead Proviso East in WSC Gold opener over Leyden

Proviso East 73, Leyden 54

THE SKINNY

Proviso East used a balanced attack to pull away from Leyden Friday night, as 11 different players scored for the Pirates in their West Suburban Gold opener. Jevon Carter scored 17 points for Proviso East, which did not have a starter score in the second quarter after building a 36-30 halftime lead.

TURNING POINT

Leyden cut the deficit to 36-33 on a Geo Romero (nine points) 3-pointer in the opening minute of the third quarter. The Pirates (5-0, 1-0) responded with an 11-0 run that was capped by a Kalin Fisher floater in the lane midway through the quarter. Proviso East led by double digits the rest of the way.

THE STAR

Fisher finished with 17 points, including his final basket in the fourth quarter that gave the Pirates a 60-40 lead. Over the final three quarters, the junior guard connected on six field goals without a miss.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Eagles (3-2, 0-1) were hampered by Proviso’s pressure defense all night, committing a total of 26 turnovers. Despite 10 miscues in the first quarter, Leyden only trailed 22-18 after the opening stanza.

QUOTABLE

“We picked up our defense (in the second half). We played harder and played with more intensity, that is the reason we pulled away. We kind of took this game lightly, not expecting as much out of them.” – Fisher