Elkers advance with 48-40 win over Sewickley Academy

March 10, 2012

Ridgway's Eric Matheson, 21, scores two of his game-high 23 points on this play during the second half of last night's PIAA Class A first-round game played at Clarion University. Photo by Jim Mulcahy.

CLARION - The Ridgway Elkers defeated the Sewickley Academy Panthers by a 48-40 score to advance to the second round of the PIAA Class A boys’ tournament.
The Elkers will meet the Kennedy Catholic squad next Tuesday at a site and time to be announced. Kennedy Catholic defeated Cornell by a 64-53 score.
The Elkers were able to use a pressing defense in the first half of last night’s contest to build a 10-4 lead after the first eight minutes and take a 21-12 halftime lead.
In the second half, Sewickley outscored the Elkers by a 28-27 margin to cut Ridgway’s final margin of victory to 48-40.
“Right away we thought we could apply pressure on their guards,” said Elker coach Anthony Allegretto.
“They made adjustments at halftime and were able to attack us better,” said the coach. The Elkers forced 15 Panther turnovers in the first half. In the second half each team had seven turnovers.
“Alex Oknefski stepped up tonight and Jesse Reynolds played a great game,” said Allegretto.
The Elkers will meet Kennedy Catholic on Tuesday.