After placing second in the San Gabriel Valley Classic, the Cubs re-emerged from the Christmas weekend looking to get back in the win column against Nevada’s Boulder City Eagles.
Starting Lineup
PG: Jalen Cox, #3 (6’3”, Sr., G)
SG: Jonas de Krassel, #20 (6’4”, So., G/F)
SF: Owen Pentz, #23 (6’3”, Sr., F)
PF: Vincent Sampson, #30 (6’1”, Sr., F/C)
C: Parker Jones, #13 (6’6”, Sr., F/C)
The Eagles won the opening tip but the Cub defense countered early, with Sampson blocking a layup in the first few seconds of the game. Sampson’s defense struck again, with another block as the Eagles led 8-6. After giving up five more points, the ball found the bottom of the net for the Cubs with Vandeweghe draining a three to make it a four point game, 13-9. Toliver drove in from the top of the key and found Jonas de Krassel for another three from the left wing, which suddenly cut the lead down to one. Vandeweghe drained another big three to tie the game at 15 towards the end of the quarter. His two threes made him the leading scorer for Loyola.
In the second quarter, the Cubs fell behind again, trailing 23-17 to start. However, Parker Jones drained back-to-back threes to tie the game with around 4:30 remaining. Chase Toliver and Jalen Cox came up big on the defensive end, each getting a steal within the final two minutes of the half as the Cubs were down 31-27. The Cubs still trailed 31-29 at halftime, but Jones came up big, scoring 10 points in the quarter.
The Cubs have been known for dominant third quarters, and last night’s game was no exception. They outscored the Eagles 21-4 in the period. Matthias Wagner and Jonas de Krassel had two threes apiece, while Jones had one in the quarter. The Cubs also made a major impact defensively, with de Krassel and Jones swatting one three-point attempt each. They took a 50-35 lead in the final frame.
By the end of the game, the Cubs were cruising. Jones drained another three, his fourth of the evening. He, Cox and Owen Pentz also scored within the arc, making one two-pointer each. All in all, the Cubs’ fantastic play on both ends of the floor led to their 60-41 win over Boulder City in the first game of the tournament.
Statistically speaking, the Cubs were also sharp there as well, garnering 13 assists and 13 steals as a team, along with 40 rebounds and six blocks. Though they shot 38% from the field, they held the Eagles to 31% shooting overall, which was business as usual on the defensive end. The Cubs also shot 50% from three-point range and 75% from the free-throw line.
Parker Jones led the way with 18 points. Jonas de Krassel and Jalen Cox had 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The Next Game
The Cubs face the Costa Mesa Mustangs in the second game of the Orange Holiday Classic tonight at 6:00 PM.