Gardner pours in 44 as Greyhounds race past Knights in second half
MONESSEN – Lorenzo Gardner scored 44 points and Darryl Ray stuffed the stat sheet Friday night as fourth-seeded Monessen pulled away from 13th-seeded Summit Academy for a 78-56 WPIAL Class A boys basketball win.
Monessen coach Dan Bosnic was impressed with Gardner’s team-first approach and with Ray, who finished with 15 points, nine blocks, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
“It speaks to how Lorenzo did it,” Bosnic said of Gardner not forcing the issue. “He’s playing good basketball right now and I am proud of him.
“He is letting the flow of the game come to him.
“Darryl Ray bothered them with his length, and he did a good job of challenging shots.
“I think this was the best game he has played.”
A few times in the first half, Monessen (18-4) appeared prime to make a run, but the Knights (4-13) kept creeping back into the game.
While Monessen never trailed, it only led 18-11 after one quarter and 32-28 at the half.
“I thought in the first half, they beat us on the boards, and we couldn’t get away from them because of it,” Bosnic said. “We gave them too many second-chance opportunities.”
The second half, however, was a different story.
“We were able to disrupt them and get out in transition,” Bosnic said. “Then we were able to finally pull away.”
While Gardner and Ray (59 combined points) outscored Summit, Bosnic also made note of two key reserves who gave quality minutes in sophomore Tayvin Craggette and freshman Dennis Hawkins.
“We had several bright spots, and I am extremely pleased with Tayvin and Dennis,” Bosnic said. “They did some good things.”
Abdullah Abdirahaman scored 13 points to lead the Knights, who finished with 25 turnovers while Monessen had 14.
Next up for the Greyhounds is a quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday with Union (13-10), and Bosnic said it will be a tough matchup.
“They have been to three straight WPIAL championship games, and they are a quality team,” he said. “They continue to do things well, and it will be a tough game.”
Union has won seven of its last eight games and 10 of its last 12.