Royals use second-half push in win

Article by Harry Lipsiea, Devils Lake Journal Sports, December 11th, 2016.

The Lake Region State College men's basketball team is looking forward to having a strong second half of the season. Well, if Sunday afternoon was any indication, the Royals are a second half team.

On the road against Mayville State JV, the Royals held the Comets scoreless for the first six minutes of the second team. The stretch ultimately catapulted the squad to an 81-67 victory. 

"I really liked our stretch to start the second half," Jared Marshall, LRSC head coach, said. "We opened up a 14-point halftime lead to 24 as we didn't allow them to score early in the second."

It was the team's final game before holiday break. With the victory, LRSC improved its overall record to 11-5.

"I'm really happy with our growth," the coach said. "We are by no means a finished product, but I believe we have gotten a lot better since the beginning of the year."

LRSC was led by Jordan Bolton with 19 points with Cedric Boone close behind with 17 points. James Streeter finished with 12 points while Derrick Laudenbach added eight. Nic Fassos had five points while Jarrett Baptiste and Sam Riley added four. Aaron Boone scored three points while Jon Lund, Harvey Barr and Drew Thielges rounded out the scoring with two points.

The Comets jumped out to a quick start, but the Royals rallied back.

"Mayville State came out with a lot of energy and jumped out to an early lead," he said. "Our guards (Cedric Boone and Jordan Bolton) showed what kind of tandem they can be. I was also really happy with Harvey Barr and James Streeter. They made a big impact on the game."

It was a good way to go into the break for the Royals.

LRSC plays next Jan. 4  against Rainy River at home.

"If we continue to come together like I expect, I think we are going to be a tough team to beat in the MonDak," Marshall pointed out.