Rams struggle from line in loss to Burlington
HIGHTSTOWN >> Matt Durstewitz noted that his Hightstown High basketball team has been having trouble getting to the foul line this year, and having more trouble hitting shots when they get there.
They solved the first problem but continued with the second Wednesday night as a talented Burlington Township squad took a 70-57 victory over the Rams in their first home game of the season.
It was a hard game to watch with a ton of stoppages, as there were a total of 60 fouls called and 77 free throws taken. That proved to nearly be the difference in the game, as the Falcons (6-1) made 31 of 43 while the Rams could go just 18 of 34, a 13-point difference.
“There was a lot of contact in this game and it kind of worked to our advantage,” Durstewitz said. “We just had our mind set that we were gonna play defense and see what we can do. Unfortunately we couldn’t hit our free throws and couldn’t hit much from outside.
“Getting to the line has been a problem. Not tonight, obviously, but we’ve been shooting a low percentage. We just get back in the gym tomorrow and just work on it.”
Overall, Durstewitz was happy with how his team played against another strong opponent. The coach has tried to load up his young team — which graduated seven regulars from last year’s squad — with challenging competition in order to toughen it up for state tournament play as well as CVC games.
The three teams that have defeated the Rams (3-3) have a combined record of 15-2, and Township looks to be one of the top-flight teams in Burlington County.
Led by Wesley Robinson’s seven points and seven rebounds, Township rolled to a 19-5 advantage before Robinson left with foul trouble. Burlington opened a 36-19 halftime lead and upped the advantage to 44-24 early in the third quarter.
Hightstown proceeded to hold the visitors scoreless four over four minutes, but could only get within 12 before Township used an 8-2 run to close the quarter and take an 18-point lead.
With the score 56-39 in the fourth the Rams missed another chance to get closer when it missed six of eight free throws while holding the Falcons scoreless. Hightstown got within 12 twice but could get no closer.
“Our backs were against the wall and we came back and started to fight,” Durstewitz said. “We played tough after getting down early. With a young team, playing one of the best in Burlington County, we played tough. Shots didn’t fall tonight and it might have been different if they did.”
JohnPaul Oluwadare led all scorers with 21 points and had six rebounds, while Robinson finished with nine points and 10 rebounds and Marcus Moore tallied 10 points. Darron Pierre had 13 for Hightstown, while Kyle Reiss collected 10 points and nine rebounds despite struggling with foul problems. Three Rams fouled out, including Reiss.
“Kyle Reiss played well and he fouled out,” Durstewitz said. “What are you gonna do?”
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores BURLINGTON TWP (70) Ayetigbo 1-7-9, Moore 4-1-9, Oluwadare 5-11-21, Robinson 3-3-9, Brown 2-3-8, Hayden 1-2-4, N’Diyae 0-3-3, Scarlett 2-1-7. Totals: 18-31-70 HIGHTSTOWN (57)
Clark 3-0-6, Vista 2-2-8, Hogan 2-0-4, Pierre 3-6-13, Simon 0-4-4, Desmond 1-1-3, Reiss 3-4-10, Caylo 1-0-2, Halliday 0-0-0, Prather 3-0-7. Totals: 18-18-57. Burlington Twp (6-1) 19 17 16 18 — 70 Hightstown (3-3) 9 10 15 23 — 57