Marshall’s defense turns tide for AG
CONNELLSVILLE – Albert Gallatin’s Marc Marshall didn’t lead the Colonials in scoring Friday night. But in a span of 24 seconds, he single-handedly stole the show, turning what had been a close game into a no-brainer, as Albert Gallatin defeated Connellsville, 68-50, in Section 1-AAAA action.
Albert Gallatin finishes the regular season 18-6 overall. At 10-4, the playoff-bound Colonials wind up in second place in Section 1-AAAA behind Norwin.
The WPIAL will announce its postseason pairings Tuesday night.
Albert Gallatin has won 13 of its past 15 games, losing twice to Norwin during that span. The Colonials were coming into play Friday on the heels of one of those losses, 59-52, Tuesday night.
“That game left a bad taste in our mouth,” said AG coach Dan Andria.
Against Connellsville, the teams traded baskets and were tied at 16 after one quarter, before Albert Gallatin eventually took a 30-27 halftime lead.
This came with Marshall on the bench, after he picked up his second personal foul with 2:34 remaining in the first quarter. Marshall re-entered the lineup to start the second half, and with fresh legs and perhaps a small chip on his shoulder, turned the game’s tide back to AG with a huge helping of defense late in the third quarter.
Albert Gallatin had taken a 36-29 lead, its largest advantage of the game to this point, after Jawaan Alston hit one of two free throws with 4:57 left in the third quarter. After the Colonials’ Nate Turner canned a pair of foul shots to give AG a 40-34 lead, Marshall took the game over.
Three consecutive steals were each followed by lay-ups, and just like that, Albert Gallatin’s lead had swelled to double digits, 46-34, with 2:10 left in the period.
“It was starting to get close; they (Connellsville) were coming back,” Marshall said. “The steals were a big momentum breaker for us. We’re not really considered an offensive team. After we get a rebound, we like to run. The steals were able to get us out on the break.”
After Connellsville’s Robbie Egan scored, Marshall converted a traditional three-point play after being fouled by the Falcons’ Jared Burton to push the visitors’ lead to 13 points. Then, with the third quarter winding down, Marshall forced another Connellsville turnover to preserve Albert Gallatin’s 13-point lead heading into the final stanza.
Connellsville (5-17, 3-11) pulled to within eight points with 5:26 remaining, but a 6-0 run pushed Albert Gallatin’s lead back to 14, and the Colonials’ Jake Magerko nailed two three-pointers down the stretch to seal the victory.
“When Marshall was out the whole first half, we were an entirely different team,” Andria said. “But he plays much bigger than he is. He gets his arms out into the passing lanes. That sequence of steals is the type of thing that breaks games open.”
Alston led all scorers with 15 points, eight rebounds and eight blocked shots. Turner finished with 14 points, with Marshall totaling 12 and also recording five steals.
Aaron Cromwell added 11 points, while Magerko chipped in 10. Ricky Knox, held to just two points, did pull down seven rebounds and came away with four steals.
Johnny Dilworth and Robbie Egan scored 14 points each to pace Connellsville, with Egan and Mason Leos each grabbing four boards.
Connellsville will close out its regular season with non-section games at Uniontown today, and at Laurel Highlands Monday.
“We played pretty good defensively (against Albert Gallatin), but we had a lot of chances on offense and a lot of plays around the basket that we didn’t capitalize on,” said Falcons coach Nick Bosnic. “They’re (AG) so difficult to play; so big and so athletic. You have to be aware of Alston offensively and defensively.
“And I’ve been watching Marshall a lot lately on film, and he’s getting better and better. Guys like him and Knox will get their opportunities in the playoffs and they might wind up making the difference in a close game.”