Region 5 Showdown Meadville 58 General McLane 69

I traveled out to Edinboro to see the General McLane Lancers host the Meadville Bulldogs tonight. Both teams went into tonights matchup unbeaten in Region 5. The Dogs had an overall record of 9-4 while the Lancers stood at 11-2.

The opening tip went to McLane. McLane's #41 Walker shot first and missed, Meadville rebound. Meadville took the ball up the court and turned it over on a 5 second call. McLane shot a long 3 and missed but had two boards. McLane called timeout at 6:54 to avoid turning the ball over going out of bounds. The score 0 -0. The first points of the game came from #11 O'Neal at the 6:34 mark. Meadville answered with their own points in the paint. The Lancer's attempted another 3 pointer but it bounced off the backboard - Meadville's ball. The Dogs #14 drove the lane and ended the play with an offensive foul. Meadville went with a press and caused a Lancer turnover. Meadville had their own turnover on a bad pass. The next two points came from the Lancers at the foul line - score Meadville 2 - McLane 4. McLane added a 3 pointer to up the score to 2 - 7. Senior #12 Geiger came in off the bench and gave the Dogs a spark they needed. Meadville had 4 fast breaks and took their first lead 10 - 7. The tempo of the game changed in the last few minutes of the first quarter as Meadville's #12 came in and got them running. End of the first quarter Meadville was up 15 - 11.

McLance started 2nd quarter with the ball, but Meadville scored first with what seemed to be their 7th fast break in a row. McLane's #12 answered with a three pointer. Meadville turned the ball over on their next possession and the Lancers converted it to 2 points. The Lancers took the lead back at the 5:42 mark, 17-18. Meadville tied the game up at 5:03 with hitting one of two foul shots. The Lancers turned the ball over and Meadville took the lead back. McLane's #41 answered with a strong 2 points in the paint. Meadville hit a three to make it 23-20. Time out was called with 3:32 left to play in the quarter. The Lancers ended up the quarter with two 3 pointers. They were fouled bringing the ball up with .1 second left in the half. They hit both shots and lead 27-30.

McLane and Meadville both came out in the 3rd and turned the ball over on their first possessions, McLane was able to convert on Meadville's turnover. The Lancer's #41 had a power rebound under his own hoop and put it back for 2. Meadville called time with the clock reading 6:57 with the score 27-34. Both teams committed fouls on their next possessions which were converted to points from the line. McLane showed press on the in bounds and Meadville turned the ball over. Meadville called time at 4:52 with the score 31-41. Meadville turned the ball over on the in bounds again. McLane held the ball for the final shot in the quarter, #41 missed and Meadville tried for a shot over half court and missed. The Lancer's outscored the Dogs by 8 and the third ended with a score of 39 to 50.

McLane's #41 committed his 4th foul to begin the 4th quarter and headed to the bench. Meadville's shooter missed both foul shots but they came up with the rebound only to turn it over on a walking call. Meadville called timeout at 7:15 after the Lancers had scored 2 points and Meadville committed a turnover and foul. Meadville switched up to man to man defense. The Lancers were shooting on every foul by the 6:25 mark as Meadville had committed its 7th team foul. Meadville took a fast break off of a Lancers missed shot and scored two plus a chance a the line that was missed. McLane's #41 came back into the game at the 4:36 mark. Meadville kept up with the press and got a couple of turnovers. In the end McLane proved to be too much for the Dogs tonight. Final score 58-69.

Big and I were very impressed with the play of #12 Geiger off Meadville's bench, ankle injury and all. He just gives the team a boost when he is out there. #14 Phillips led the Dogs with 20 points tonight. The Dogs press caused several turnovers and bad passes, however they had a hard time getting the trap. Their size inside forced the Lancers to an outside game in the first half. Freshmen #23 Hamilton who added 12 points and fouled out has a definate presence for the Dogs with several more years to improve. They played a very even game excluding the 3rd quarter.

The Lancers were led by #14 Mulligan with 26 points, 10 of which came from free throws as he went 10 for 12 from the line. Lancers #12 DiVito added 11, #33 Steffey and #41 Walker both added 8 of thier own. I was impressed with #11 O'Neals ball handling with the constant pressure Meadville gave him bringing the ball up the court. He definately kept his composure.

Meadville will host this exciting rematch at the House of Thrills on Monday night, Feb. 4th. I anticipate another great game!