(JR Konieczny had a big game in the loss)

 

In an early season NIC matchup, Adams rode defensive pressure and an outstanding effort on the glass to pull away from St. Joe and win by a 65-54 count. The Eagles placed three in double figures, led by Brayden Saxton's 21-point, 10-rebound effort. Sydney Jefferies had 15 and Lynn King added 13. JR Konieczny of St. Joe led all scorers with 30 points to go along with a game-high 13 boards.

 

St. Joe got off to a hot start as the Indians rode Notre Dame signee JR Konieczny early, as he managed to score 11 points in the opening quarter after picking up a pair of fouls within the first 90 seconds of the game. Adams struggled to manage anything in the halfcourt against the much taller St. Joe squad, who used a zone defense to take away passing lanes and exploit the lack of outside shooting for the Eagles.

 

As the second period began, Adams cranked up the defensive pressure. The result was an 11-0 run to start the quarter, giving them a five-point advantage. They were able to hold the Indians scoreless for the first 4:39 of the second before a Will Terry bucket broke the drought. St. Joe would claw back to tie the game, but a Tommy Snyder putback of a Quentez Columbus miss just before the buzzer would send Adams into the locker room with a two-point advantage.

 

Adams started the third much the same way they did the second, as senior forward Brayden Saxton took over. The 6'1 forward scored 11 of his team's 19 points in the third, using his quickness against the much larger defenders of the opposition. JR Konieczny would continue his hot hand, but St. Joe struggled to get anyone else going, as the pressure of Adams threw a wrench in their offensive rhythm.

 

The Notre Dame commit tried to keep the Indians in the game, but a quick burst from Adams took a four-point lead to nine in a matter of seconds, and St. Joe never seriously threatened after that.

 

Adams moves to 2-0 on the season, while St. Joe starts 0-1.

 

St. Joe 18  9 16  9 - 54

Adams 12 17 19 17 - 65

 

St Joe: JR Konieczny 30 points (11/19 FGs, 3/4 3Ps, 5/5 FTs), 13 rebs, 2 asts; Will Terry 9 points (4/5 FGs, 1/2), 4 rebs; Jack Futa 6 points (3/8 FGs), 3 rebs, 2 asts, 2 blks; Declan Walsh 4 points (2/4 FGs); Connor Litka 2 points (1/4 FGs); Cole Hatkevich 1 point (1/2 FTs)

 

Adams: Brayden Saxton 21 points (9/15 FGs, 3/5 FTs), 10 rbs, 4 asts, 3 stls; Sydney Jefferies 15 points (5/10 FGs, 5/6 FTs), 3 rebs, 2 asts; Lynn King 13 points (4/14 FGs, 5/6 FTs), 9 rebs; Quentez Columbus 9 points (3/17 FGs, 2/7 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 8 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls; Tommy Snyder 4 points (2/2 FGs); Chuck Worsham 3 points (1/1 3Ps);