Tigers’ defense overpowers NL

Defense and shooting. When a team can do both successfully, odds are it will have a pretty good night.

On Thursday, Northwestern Lehigh was able to do just that against rival Northern Lehigh and roll to a 47-19 Colonial League victory.

In the first quarter, the Tigers (3-3) established themselves defensively, pressuring, double-teaming, and getting hands in the passing lanes to hold the Bulldogs (0-8) scoreless while forcing four turnovers.

Northwestern struggled a bit as well offensively, managing just four points, in the opening frame.

That the Tigers were able to hold a rival on the road scoreless for eight minutes was certainly momentum-building.

“Coming into the game, we really stressed defensive effort. We wanted to make them work hard for every shot, and contest every shot, and we were able to do that,” said Northwestern head coach Billy Hallman. “Then we were able to rebound well on the defensive side of the floor and not give them second chance opportunities.”

With the way the game was going offensively, the first team to get hot from the outside was most likely going to have the edge in this one. In the second quarter, the Tigers offense was able to do just that.

Northwestern strung together some offensive runs, spurred by the three-point shot. The Tigers hit four in the frame — two each from Sean McCann and Vincent Castrine — to help them outscore the Bulldogs 16-4 in the quarter, and take an 18-point lead into intermission.

The Tigers impressive first-half play was also due to the savvy scoring ability of Derek Hebelka, who scored six of Northwestern’s first eight points. Hebelka — who stands at just 5-8 — was able to have his way inside throughout the night using his body and a strong finishing left hand.

“Derek Hebelka was our offense early. He found open spots in their zone and then finished and that kept us going,” said Hallman. “When we started to knock down some shots in the second quarter, it was McCann who got it going, and then Castrine’s two three-pointers at the end of the half were huge.”

Northern Lehigh made some adjustments at the half, pressuring the Tigers to start the third, which paid dividends. Three turnovers, and inconsistent offense by Northwestern in the quarter, helped the Bulldogs close to within 13.

But a three-point play by Deven Bollinger in the post quieted the Bulldogs comeback aspirations, and when McCann hit a jumper from the corner, the Tigers lead was back to 18 entering the fourth.

“We said at half that they were going to come out with energy and try and go on a run, Northern Lehigh always battles hard,” said Hallman. “We got a little careless, didn’t take care of the ball, but then we settled down, and got back into a rhythm.

“Deven Bollinger is our leader and he took over, kind of got in everyone’s ear and we were able to finish it out.”

FIRST HALF D ... The Tigers defense was good throughout the night, but it was especially good in the first half, holding the Bulldogs to just four points and forcing nine turnovers.

LEADERS ... Hebelka and McCann led the Tigers with 10 points apiece, Castrine added six and Bollinger had six points, and pulled seven rebounds.

NORTHWESTERN

Hebelka 5-0-0-10, Fitch 1-0-0-2, Bollinger 2-3-4-6, McCann 3-2-4-10, Castrine 2-0-0-6, Hnery 0-0-0-0, Hallman 1-1-3-3, Pleban 1-0-0-2, Zack 2-0-0-4, Garrido 1-2-2-4. TOTALS: 18-8-13-47

NORTHERN LEHIGH

Marlatt 3-0-0-6, Moyer 2-1-2-5, Mujovic 2-0-2-4, Olewine 0-0-0-0, Repsher 0-0-0-0, Richards 2-0-0-4, Smith 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 9-1-4-19

Northwestern 6 16 11 14 - 47

No. Lehigh 0 4 11 4 - 19

Three-pointers: NW - McCann 2, Castrine 2.