The highlight of the opening day of the SAC Tournament was the nightcap between 4th seed Northrop and 5th seed South Side. These two teams played just over a week ago, with Northrop emerging victorious by a 48-43 score. (Pictured: Sydney Curry)

 

Northrop started off strong in the rematch,  opening a 13-6 lead after eight minutes of play. South Side had difficulty scoring at the rim and Northrop was able to capitalize by scoring in transition off misses and turnovers. The Archers would begin the 2nd period with a 7-0 run of their own to tie the score at 13. Miami of Ohio commitment Sydney Curry was the focus of South Side’s zone defense, which tried to limit passing lanes to the big man and double teamed him whenever he did touch the ball. Much of the second quarter turned into a free throw contest as both teams were in the bonus for the last five minutes of the half.

 

 

South Side managed to take a 32-29 lead following a Kamron Mitchell triple, but Northrop would end the quarter on a 10-2 run as Curry dominated the defensive glass by corralling any missed shot from South Side. The run would not stop there, as the Bruins would open the 4th quarter with a 17-5 run spurred on by Curry, Qualen Pettus, and Isaac Anderson. The 27-7 run was the deciding factor in blowing an otherwise close game wide open, and Northrop would go on to win by a final of 60-49.

 

 

In the opening game of the day, Concordia built a sizable lead just after halftime before Bishop Luers was able to cut a 16 point deficit to just 6 before falling by a 58-44 final. Concordia moves on to face top seed Snider in one quarterfinal. Northrop awaits the winner of that matchup.

 

 

In the second game, Wayne jumped all over North Side as the Legends turned the ball over repeatedly in the opening half. The Generals started the game 31-4 on the way to a 42-11 halftime lead. Wayne welcomed the return of Junior All-Star and Ohio State football signee Craig Young, and Young did not waste any time getting in on the action. The 6’5 forward had three monster dunks in a two-minute span in the second quarter that epitomized the day for North Side. Wayne advances to take on 2nd seed Carroll in a quarterfinal.