Despite the torrential downpour, the Dons (6-8, ranked 87th in SF, 391st in CA) were happy to be back home for the first game of a tough three game homestand opening up against the Serra Padres (7-2, 19th in SF, 90th in CA).
The Dons got off to a slow start for the first time in a long time digging a 14-4 hole 5 minutes into the game before springing to life on two Gavin Dodge buckets both assisted by Jordan Brown. Jordan added a three and Preston Hilsabeck found Cameron Hood for an emphatic buzzer beater to close the gap to 18-14 at the end of one.
The well went dry in the second as the more physical Padres had their way with us on defense and dominated the glass on both ends. We only had two points in the quarter going 1/11 from the field with 1 offensive rebound. The deficit was 16 at the half, 32-16.
A couple minutes into the third, Jordan checked into the game alongside Gavin, Liam Krackeler, Ian Salmon, and Brady Quinn and the energy shifted. Brady found Liam for a three and Ian found Jordan underneath for two to trim the lead to 11. After a Serra TO, Ian made a diving steal and found Jordan up ahead for the fast break. Then Liam stole the ball in the backcourt getting up to Brady for the and-1 finish. Dons were down 6 and Serra needed another TO a minute later! Brady found Liam behind the defense on a long pass up court for two and an Ian steal led to another Brady assist this time to a streaking Jordan who was simply the fastest player on the court last night. A nice Ian drive made the score 39-34 Padres going into the fourth, we had ourselves a game!
Cam found Jordan for a three to cut the lead to two on our first possession and then Jordan converted an and-1 drive to take our first lead of the game with 6:30 left to go! Ian scooped up a Gavin deflection and slung it ahead to Gavin who had a clear path to the end zone and an easy two, Dons up 3! Gavin had been quiet since the first but really started to flex scoring two more buckets, one of them a nice and-1 follow up plus two more free throws…Dons were up 6, 51-45 with 3 minutes to go! Serra came back to take the lead 54-51 with just over a minute to go on a run that included two three’s made after questionable non-travelling calls still being reviewed by the league offices. The Dons had some chances but couldn’t convert and only managed 4 offensive rebounds the entire night so there were no second chances happening. Serra added a drive and two free throws for the 58-51 final as they scored the final 13 points of the game.
The Dons shot 40% from the field, 15/28 (54%) on 2FG, 3/17 from deep (18%) and a stellar 12/13 from the line (92%). Padres were 48% from the field, 16/31 (52%) on 2FG, a much better 6/15 (40%) on 3’s and 8/18 (44%) from the stripe. Rebounding was a big deal as the Dons were doubled up for the second game in a row 34-17 and beaten on the O boards 13-4. We got some good transition scoring with a 10-4 advantage and won the turnover battle 9 to 13 with 17 points off turnovers to their 10.
Jordan had a scintillating performance with 17 points on 6/9 shooting, 2 three’s, 3/3 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal in 22 minutes with a plus/minus rating of +9. Gavin had 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist in 30 minutes. Liam added 11 points with 2 steals. Preston had a team high 4 rebounds and an impressive +8 in 11 minutes. Ian added a team high 3 steals. For the Padres #24 Angelo Ghattas led the way with 16 points on 8/10 with 6 rebounds and 5 turnovers. They were mysteriously without star Ryan Pettis who has already committed to Fordham and played on the USA U18 team at the USA-UK Showcase this past Summer.
Next up for the Dons a much improved Washington team this Saturday 1/6 at home at 7pm. Washington is 8-4, ranked 66th in SF Metro and 291st in CA.
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Photo Credits: Unassociated Press // Nicole Malm
