The Blackhawks continued their conference schedule at Gilman on Tuesday night with a 63-46 victory keeping the Blackhawks in a tie for first place.
Colton Paczkowski started the Blackhawks off with a three and Preston Fritz got a strong putback for a 5-0 start. The Pirates answered, then the Blackhawks countered with a strong pick and roll from Talon Mueller to Jack Wendler. Wendler then scored inside on a feed from Clay Mueller. Winston Poehler scored on a lay-up from a Talon Mueller steal to put the Hawks up 15-11. With the game close the Hawks went on a scoring run with Poehler making a two and then hitting back-to-back threes from passes from Fritz. A steal and lay-up by Clay Mueller and threes from Fritz and Poehler kicked the lead up to 36-22. The Blackhawks lead 40-22 at the half.
Another Paczkowski three started the Hawks off in the second half along with a Talon Mueller putback. The Blackhawks were able to hold off a few Pirates runs and their own turnovers, by hitting their free throws down the stretch. The Blackhawks won 63-46 to improve to 8-4 on the season.
The Blackhawks shot 43% from the floor and were 19-31 (61%) from the FT line, along with 15 assists and 3 charges taken.
Box Score: Poehler 17 pts, 7 rebs, 2 stls; Fritz 17 pts, 2 rebs, 3 asts; Wendler 12 pts, 10 rebs, 2 asts, 2 blks; Talon Mueller 6 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls; Paczkowski 6 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts; Clay Mueller 2 asts, 2 stls; Pyrchalla 4 rebs.
Coach's Comments
All the guys made plays at the right moments of the game, even though we had some turnovers on the night. We kept at it possession by possession and our scoring run in the first half was the difference in the game. Our defense was solid at times and we got the win.