The first quarter started out innocently enough, as both teams struggled with turnover issues in the opening minutes.  Lawrence North began the game in a 2-3 zone, attempting to keep Tech's guards from driving the lane.  The strategy seemed to work, as CJ Walker obliged Jack Keefer's wishes by taking his first four shots all from behind the arc.

 

Tech would lead 9-7 at the halfway mark of the quarter before LN senior guard Pat Bacon would get aggressive.  Bacon began attacking the basket and forcing his way either to the rim or finding teammates open after drawing help.  His play helped LN end the quarter on a 13-4 run to take a 20-13 lead at the break.

 

LN junior guard Jaylen McKay would put his mark on the game in the second quarter, grabbing two offensive rebounds on one possession before finding freshman Antwaan Cushingberry in the corner for a three pointer.  McKay was a pest defensively, whether it was generating steals with his length, cleaning the defensive glass, or blocking shots.  Tech would not go away, however, as the ball would find CJ Walker in the left corner with the clock running down, and Walker would calmly deposit the ball in the bottom of the net to pull Tech within six at the half.

 

As the teams emerged out of the locker room, it seemed as each decided to just try and outscore the other.  Tech came out hot, with jumpers from senior guard Eric Meeks and CJ Walker, while Lawrence North would repeatedly get to the basket, mainly on the shoulders of Pat Bacon.  Tech shifted their strategy to attack the rim as well, and fouls began to mount for both sides.  Walker would score 12 points in the quarter, but LN would extend their halftime lead to 17 by the end of the period.

 

The fourth quarter was a parade to the free throw line, and Lawrence North made sure Tech would not be able to mount a comeback, going 29-36 from the line for the game.  CJ Walker did his best to keep it close, scoring 10 in the final quarter, hitting a pair of threes and working his way to the lane for floaters.  LN would clear the bench with 35 seconds left, and came away with a 98-86 win.

 

 

Lawrence North  20  23  30  25  -  98

Tech                  13  24  19  30  -  86

 

Lawrence North: Pat Bacon 35 points (8-13 FGs, 18-21 FTs), 7 assists; Jaylen McKay 17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks; Kevin Easley 13 points; Antwaan Cushingberry 10 points; Wesley Bender 10 points; Ethan Jarrett 5 points; Ra Kpedi 4 points; Dion Gilbert 2 points

 

Tech: CJ Walker 36 points (12/23 FGs, 4/10 3Ps, 8/9 FTs), 7 assists, 4 steals; Eric Meeks 11 points (3/6 3Ps); Damion Gooch 11 points; Donte Gladney 10 points; Ernest Myles 6 points; Wesley Jones 4 points; Greg Gaddie 4 points; Chris Davis 2 points; Quantrell Wakefield 2 points

 

Lawrence North moves to 8-1 on the year.  Their next game is a MIC contest Friday night against Warren Central.

 

Tech falls to 8-4 and heads down to Paducah, KY on Friday evening to take on Chicago St. Rita.