Falcons beat Colonials, snap 6-game section losing streak
Connellsville's Jade Maher takes shot at the hoop against Albert Gallatin's Tanner Cavalier in first period of play at the Falcon's gym Tuesday.
Dave Rafferty
The Falcon’s Nick Pittsment ignores the hand in his face as he goes up for a hook shot against Albert Gallatin Tuesday.
CONNELLSVILLE — The Connellsville Falcons broke a six-game losing streak in Section 1-AAAA, beating visiting Albert Gallatin Tuesday night, 72-49, to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
The Falcons (4-7, 11-7) got a game-high 22 points from sophomore Jade Maher. Adam Siecinski hit for 14 and Nick Pittsment added 11.
Chris Uphold continued his development as a scorer for the Colonials (0-11, 0-18), working his way through the Falcons’ defense for 13 points. Nate Singer followed with 10 and Rashad Craig battled his way for 10 points.
“I felt the second half, particularly the third quarter, we picked up our intensity and got going in the right direction,” Connellsville’s Dan Bosnic said. “We were able to pressure the ball and did some things defensively that led to some easy baskets. We made some positive things happen.”
The game was close in early going with the Falcons jumping out to a 10-5 lead behind two baskets each from Maher and Pittsment, and one from Paul Martin. The Colonials charged back to tie the score on a 3-pointer from Singer and a basket from Uphold. The Falcons closed out the quarter with a 13-4 run lead by Siecinski, who scored eight of the 13 points by dropping in two from beyond the arc and a field goal to help the Falcons take a 23-14 lead .
“My kids have been giving me a full effort all year long. I can’t complain,” AG’s Warare Gladman said. “Even though our record doesn’t show it, these kids have battled all year long. I knew this was going to be work in progress and I continue to see their development. I think the future is bright for these kids.”
Uphold opened the scoring for AG in the second quarter. Andrew Stone scored for the Falcons. Fred Houston came back with another bucket for the Colonials. Martin scored for Connellsville giving the Falcons a 26-18 lead.
Tanner Cavalier and Singer scored for the Colonials to cut into the Falcons’ lead, 26-22. The Falcons came back with six quick points on baskets from Maher, Martin and Grant Wortman to open up a 32-22 lead. The Falcons went on to outscore the Colonials 10-2 the rest of the quarter to take a 36-24 halftime lead.
The Falcons went on a tear in the third quarter, outscoring the Colonials 17-5. Maher scored eight points, while Craig accounted for all the Colonial scoring. Wortman had the play of the night in the third quarter. On a lob to Martin from the corner, the ball found nothing but net as the Falcons closed out the quarter with a 12-0 run to take a 53-29 lead after three. It was a lead that would hold up for the rest of the contest.