Pirates sail past Santa Fe
A highly anticipated matchup between the Santa Fe boy’s basketball team and Putnam City, turned into a lopsided affair on Friday night, as the No. 1-ranked Pirates throttled the visitors 67-50.
Santa Fe gave up 26 points to Xavier Henry, and couldn’t overcome PC’s sizable advantage at the charity stripe.
The Pirates were whistled for only four fouls in the first half, 11 for the game — Santa Fe was called for 21 — leading to 15 more foul shots for the hosts. Santa Fe didn’t attempt a free throw until 53.3 remained in the third period.
By that time, the Pirates had shot 15, and led 44-28.
Santa Fe trailed 15-6 late in the first period, before Ross Morrisett hit a short jumper, and then added a 3-pointer with :31 left to get the Wolves within 17-11 heading into the second.
The Pirates took control over the next eight minutes, outscoring the Wolves 14-4, en route to a 31-15 halftime lead.
Santa Fe’s Nic Combs, who had been held in check in the first half, finally came to life in the third period, knocking down a pair of baskets, the last of which trimmed PC’s lead to 12 points.
PC answered back, taking a 37-21 lead with 4:44 left in the third, after hitting four free-throws in a row, before the Wolves came back with a run of its own.
Victor Driver started the run with a 3-pointer, followed by baskets by Morrisett and Ricky Vick. But PC came back, taking a 46-32 lead into the final period.
The Pirates led by as many as 31 points, as they went on a 15-0 run mid-way through the fourth.
Santa Fe didn’t give up however, outscoring the hosts 14-0 over the final 3:55.
Morrisett led the Wolves with 15 points, followed by Combs who had 10. Driver chipped in 9, while Michael Spinner added eight.
The Wolves will host Putnam City West on Tuesday night.
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