November 23, 2009

RedStorm fall in Cedarville consolation

Cedarville, Oh. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's basketball team could not close the deal on Saturday evening in the consolation game of the Cedarville Invitational against Point Park. Rio lost 84-68, suffering a third straight defeat.

Rio Grande (3-4) jumped out to a 16-point first half lead, but as Point Park did against Trevecca Nazarene in the game on Friday night, it battled back to tie the game at the half 34-34. 

The second half belonged to Point Park (3-4) as the Pioneers put 50 points on the board after halftime to secure the win.

Rio was led by forward Daniel Marti (Valencia, Spain), who got back on track, with a 20-point, nine-rebound effort. He also recorded four blocked shots. Junior guard Doug Campbell (Salisbury, NC) added 14 points and pulled down six rebounds as he was named to the all-tournament team.

Sophomore forward Bud Teer (Cleveland, OH) racked another double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. 

Rio struggled from the field, shooting only 37.3 percent (25-of-67) from the floor, including 7-of-20 (35 percent) from three-point land and 11-of-19 (57.9 percent) from the charity stripe. 

"We're still trying to learn how to play for a full 40 minutes," said Rio Grande head coach Ken French. "We started out, we played well, but then we face a little bit of adversity, we're not handling it very well." 

"And that's what you get with a young team," French added. "We have eight new guys and we're continuing to challenge these guys and we're getting better everytime we take the floor."

Point Park (3-4) had five players score in double figures led by Franco Sebastiani with 20 points. He also pulled down eight rebounds and handed out five assists. Josh Trocchio and Joel Cashatt scored 18 points each. Cashatt led the Pioneers with seven assists.

Rio will aim to get back on the winning side of ledger this weekend with a pair of tough games in the Mid-South Conference Challenge in Frankfort, Ky. Rio will face Virginia Intermont on Friday (November 27) at 2:15 p.m. and the University of St. Francis (IN) on Saturday also at 2:15 p.m. 

Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage both days beginning at approximately 2 p.m.