B-A beats Tyrone on the hardwood

Big second half propels Devils to Backyard Brawl victory

The+Blue+Devils+got+a+big+victory+Friday+night.

Tierra Mahute

The Blue Devils got a big victory Friday night.

Blair Poorman, Sports Writer

Last Friday kicked off the Bellwood boys’ basketball season with a win against arch-rival Tyrone, with a final score of 73-62.  Bellwood had a trouble dispatching the Golden Eagles in the first half, leading by a score of 30-29 at halftime.

“It was a little rough in the 1st half, because we were shaking off the rust from not playing a real game since last season.  In the 3rd quarter we played how we know how and it showed,” said senior Nathan Davis about their rough start.

The Devils used a 20-1 run in the third quarter to pull away. Padula scored 10 in the period and Davis 8, while the Golden Eagles were were tagged with two technical fouls. Tyrone would finish the game with three technicals, fighting foul difficulties most of the night.

With all the excitement in the gym everyone came out crazy. After halftime we came out and settled down and played like we know we could

— Jarrett Taneyhill

Senior post Anthony Politza sat most of the first half with two fouls, as did starting guards Jake Meredith and Dylan Thomas. Meredith picked up his third personal in the third quarter and was forced to the bench, allowing B-A to attack Tyrone’s guards and make a run.

Tyrone had six turnovers in the third quarter.

Davis led the Blue Devils with a triple-double with 24 points, 10 assists, and 10 boards, and is starting up where he left off last season as he continues to dominate his competition.

Junior Joey Padula had 21 points, Junior Jarrett Taneyhill added 16 points and 5 blocks, and Senior Jake Burch added 7 points.

“With all the excitement in the gym everyone came out crazy.  After halftime we came out and settled down and played like we know we could,” said Taneyhill.

B-A actually trailed by as many as 7 early in the game, falling behind 9-2 in the first quarter before Padula and Taneyhill started to heat up.

Their next game will be at Juniata Valley this Thursday in their first matchup against ICC competition.