(Jalen Jackson scored a game-high ten points in the loss)

Leo needed a miracle to defeat Carroll on Saturday afternoon, and their prayers were answered by Ayden Ruble, who caught a 65 foot pass and sunk a 15 foot shot at the buzzer for a 39-37 victory over Carroll.

Both teams were comfortable playing a slower tempo, as physical play and lengthy possessions were the norm. Leo used their frontline to establish a lead in the second quarter, as Zack Troyer and DJ Allen used their size advantage to the fullest, crashing the offensive glass to give Leo multiple second chance opportunities. Those opportunities were tough to convert, as the Lions shot just 30% from inside the arc in the first half, with many of those misses coming in the paint.

Leo would continue to stretch a seven point halftime lead into double figures at the end of the third quarter, as Carroll struggled to find any offensive rhythm. It looked bleak when forward Sam Strycker, who had scored nine of the Chargers' 20 points at the time, picked up his fourth foul less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

Carroll would slowly chip away beginning with Jalen Jackson's first field goal which came at the 6:19 mark of the period. The junior guard, who averages 22 points a game, scored eight of his game-high 10 points in the final 6:19, but he wasn't the only key for Carroll's comeback. Senior guard Cody Burkey, who hadn't scored entering the fourth, put up all nine of his points in the final eight minutes, hitting a trio of midrange jumpers, then his deep three pointer with 80 seconds left brought Carroll to within a pair.

The Chargers had a chance to take the lead, but Zack Troyer took the ball away from Sam Strycker, and Ayden Ruble was fouled with just under 15 seconds left. Ruble split the free throws to give Leo a two point advantage, but Jalen Jackson scored on a post up with just under two seconds left to tie the game at 37, which set up the final play.

Looking to hit DJ Allen in the frontcourt, Zack Troyer's baseball pass sailed over his head, but found the hands of Ayden Ruble, who took one dribble to get an angle around Sam Strycker and threw in a 15 foot leaner at the buzzer that rolled in, giving Leo a two point victory.

The win was Leo's sixth over SAC foes in seven tries, as the Lions ran their record to 14-1. Carroll fell to 13-3 as this was the first time the Chargers were held under 51 points this season.


Carroll  8  5  7  17  -  37
Leo      6 14 11   8  -  39

Carroll: Jalen Jackson 10 points (4/10 FGs, 2/2 FTs), 9 rebs, 4 asts; Cody Burkey 9 points (4/7 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 3 stls; Sam Strycker 9 points (4/7 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 6 asts; Ryan Preston 7 points (2/9 FGs, 1/7 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 4 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls; Logan Lankenau 2 points (1/1 FGs, 2 rebs)

Leo: Blake Davison 8 points (3/12 FGs, 2/2 FTs), 4 rebs, 2 asts, 4 stls; Carson Hart 8 points (3/4 FGs, 2/2 3Ps), 2 rebs; DJ Allen 7 points (3/7 FGs, 1/3 FTs), 6 rebs; Zack Troyer 5 points (1/5 FGs, 3/4 FTs), 7 rebs, 2 stls; Ayden Ruble 5 points (2/5 FGs, 1/3 FTs), 3 rebs, 2 asts; Xavier Middleton 3 points (1/5 FGs, 1/1 FTs), 2 rebs; Eric Steger 3 points (1/1 3Ps)