Elyria can’t hold off Brunswick

A short stretch of bad basketball meant what’s turning into a long basketball season continued on for the Elyria Pioneers.

The Pioneers led visiting Brunswick by a point with just over five minutes left in the contest before the Blue Devils closed on a 16-3 run to come away with a 61-49 win on Jan. 28.

The loss dropped the Pioneers to 4-12 on the year and just 1-8 in the Greater Cleveland Conference. Brunswick improved to 9-7 and 3-6 in the GCC.

“For three quarters, I thought we did great. In the first half I thought our guys played with as much energy and effort as they have all year,” Elyria coach Brett Larrick said.

That effort energy carried on into the third quarter as the Pioneers surged to a 36-29 lead after Dez Shelton knocked down a 3-pointer with. But instead of bumping that lead out to double-digits, the Pioneers began to struggle with turnovers and missed free throws.

“The fourth quarter they made more plays. They

came with more energy than we did. They made free throws and made some plays down the stretch and executed. They made more plays than we did in the fourth,” Larrick said.

Brunswick junior guard Trey Massey scored 17 to lead the winners. Blue Devil senior guard Trevor Mackey added 12 and connected on all six of his free throws down in the fourth period. Marquis Barnett scored 13 for Brunswick and came up with a big 3-pointer and four rebounds during his team’s big fourth quarter.

Landon Kistler, a 6-2 senior guard, added four big points on two big drives in the big run and JC Asturi added 13 for Brunswick.

Brunswick made 13 of 14 free throws on the night while Elyria was 12 of 21 from the line.

Elyria big man Ty Lee scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Elyria, which led by 17-15 after one quarter, 27-24 at the half and 4240 heading into the what turned out to be a fatal fourth quarter.

Brunswick coach Joe Mackey said his team was fortunate to be down just three at the half and felt that was ultimately a key in the victory.

RANDY MEYERS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Dezaron Shelton of Elyria drives the baseline against Brunswick during the first quarter Jan. 28.