Bulldogs Hold Off Hermann in FRC Offensive Slugfest, 84-72

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It was an offensive outburst by both teams in St. Clair’s Four Rivers Conference boys basketball contest last Friday at Hermann.

A fast start proved to be the difference for the Bulldogs in an 84-72 victory over the Bearcats.

“We came out and gave a great effort,” said St. Clair Head Coach Casey Korn. “This was the first time we had a lead in the fourth quarter that was challenged. They made a big run in the third quarter and our guys responded really well with a run of our own.”

St. Clair (3-5, 2-0) jumped to a 9-0 advantage and never surrendered the lead.

“We trailed by 13 points at the start of the third quarter, cut it down to two points, but used so much energy and ran out of gas. They got it back up to eight points,” said Hermann Head Coach Tim Spiers. “A big difference in the game came from the free-throw line. They were 16-26 and we were 7-10. We didn’t get in the bonus in either half, and we were at home.”

Adam Brott and Neyko Dominguez led five Bulldogs in double figures with 15 points apiece. Dominguez, 7-10 from the foul line, added six rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Evan Powell added 13 points and three rebounds. Brandon York collected 12 points and 10 rebounds. Austin Gotway had 10 points.

Will Rolley finished with six points and four rebounds. Spencer Crumbaugh scored four points. Reno Jones had two points.

“York came off the bench and played extremely aggressive. Neyko hit some big shots in transition and Brott was really good on both ends of the floor,” Korn said.

“Gotway hurt us off the bench. Brott and York also hurt us,” Spiers said. “I saw St. Clair play at the Borgia Tournament and they’ve improved a lot since then. They’re an athletic team with good size. They fill all five positions on the floor and can push the ball in transition.”

Craig Winkelmann led four Bearcats in double figures with 19 points (18 in the second half), six assists and three steals.

“Craig’s shooting percentage was not good, but he still kept plugging away had scored 11 points in the fourth quarter,” Spiers said. “He’s played very well for us this year.”

Matt Hug, a 6-2 freshman, finished with 16 points (4-5 from three-point range) and five rebounds.

Collin Hart and Josh Schannuth both scored 11 points. Hart added five assists.

Jon Baumstark registered eight points and six rebounds. Grant Ruediger scored seven points.

Hermann (3-4, 0-2) was 11-22 from three-point range, but 17-44 from two-point territory.

“When you have four guys in double figures and score 72 points, that’s usually a win,” Spiers said. “We just didn’t defend. We’re doing a lot of good things offensively. We have to cut down on our turnovers and do a better job defending and rebounding.”

St. Clair held leads of 20-14 after one quarter, 42-28 at halftime and 63-51 after three quarters.