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Big First Quarter Carries Rice Past Spaulding

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Created on Saturday, 17 December 2011 02:58

Written by George Commo

Green Knights Outscore Tide 21-5 in First On Route to 48-32 Win

South Burlington --- The Spaulding Crimson Tide played the favored Rice Green Knights even over the final three quarters of their boys basketball matchup on Friday night on Bernie Cieplicki Court. But it was that first eight minutes that made all the difference. Defending Division One champion Rice roared out to a 21-5 first quarter lead and went on to beat the Crimson Tide 48-32.

The Green Knights used a ballhawking defense keyed by junior guard Casey Tipson to create havoc for Spaulding. Tipson, who finished with seven steals on the night, chipped in four first quarter points, while Tim Rensch, Marcus Willingham and Matt Bellows each contributed five points to the first quarter explosion.

Rice stretched their lead to twenty-two at 29-7 about mid-way thru the second quarter before going ice cold from the floor. They did not score again before halftime as Spaulding tossed in the last six points of the quarter to move with 29-13 at the break. A pair of third quarter three pointers by Spaulding's Evan Grubb and Harrison Bailey got the Tide to within thirteen early in the third quarter, but Rice would re-group to go back up by twenty and Spaulding would get no closer than sixteen the rest of the way.

Tipson finished as Rice's high scorer with 11 points. Rensch added 10. Harrison was the only Spaulding player in double figures with 11.

Both teams are now 1-1 on the season.