Early fouls spoil upset bid

By Justin Albers
basketballss132002@yahoo.com
FISHERS- The shots just weren't falling. That's what Royals head coach Brian Sattefield will be telling his team. Hamilton Southeastern shot just 15-37 from the field en route to a 53-43 defeat at the hands of No. 3 ranked Muncie Central on Saturday night.
The troubles started early when Southeastern big men Kory Kahlo and Chris Carlino picked up two quick fouls. Both were sent to the bench, leaving Gabe Cotton and Adam Ciecuira with an opportunity to step up. Their opportunities were spoiled when physical play by the Bearcats caused injuries. First Cotton went down after a missed layup, an apparant knee injury. Moments later Cieciura walked off the court with his hand under his nose collecting the falling blood. Both Cieciura and Cotton would return.
Despite everything that happened in the first quarter, the Royals still found themselves in the game. Six second quarter points by Cotton allowed HSE to be within striking distance at the half, trailing 28-26.
Hamilton Southeastern junior forward Chris Carlino led an early second half surge as he scored six consecutive points. Carlino had 9 points and 5 rebounds in the game. After Muncie Central came back with baskets from Brandon Jenkins and John Peckinpaugh, the Bearcats regained a double figure advantage that they carried into the final period.
The Royals played hard man to man defense in the fourth quarter, and forced several turnovers. They just had too many points to make up, and with the Bearcats holding the ball to waste time, a comeback was virtually impossible. Solid free throw shooting allowed Muncie Central to improve its record to 14-2 on the season, and snap the Royals season high 3 game winning streak.

BOX SCORE

Hamilton Southeastern

Chris Carlino 3-6 FG 3-4 FT 5 reb. 9 points 1 TO 3 Fouls

Adam Cieciura 1-3 FG 0-2 FT 0 reb. 3 points 0 TO 2 Fouls

Gabe Cotton 3-8 FG 3-5 FT 2 reb. 9 points 0 TO 5 Fouls

Nick Deschepper 3-9 FG 0-0 FT 3 reb. 3 steals 7 points 3 TO 4 Fouls

Kory Kahlo 1-2 FG 0-0 FT 3 reb. 0 TO 2 Fouls

Matt Maloof 1-3 FG 1-2 FT 1 reb. 4 points 1 Fouls

Billy Pappas 1-4 FG 2-3 FT 0 reb. 3 steals 4 points 2 TO 1 Foul

Anthony Stevenson 1-1 FG 0-0 FT 1 steal 2 points 1 Foul

Steve Williams 1-2 FG 0-0 FT o reb 3 points o TO 0 Foul