Josh Carpenter's four first-half 3-pointers helped WCCS build a 21-point halftime lead as the Lions picked up their second straight win over Erie Bethel, 58-31, in a New Penn Christian Conference game Tuesday at Warren County Christian School.
"The guys shot really well in the first half," said WCCS coach Steve Zwald.
Carpenter buried two of his 3-pointers early in the first quarter to help WCCS gain a slim 8-6 advantage. The Lions then turned up the pressure defensively, leading to a 9-0 run late in the quarter. WCCS held a 21-9 lead after the first.
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Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg
Coming through
Jamie Petrush puts up a shot for Warren County Christian School during a game against Erie Bethel Tuesday at Warren County Christian School.
"This was very different from the last game (Thursday at Erie)," Zwald said. "Thursday we relied on Carson Moore on the inside; today we relied on the outside game."
The Lions opened the second quarter with a 14-0 run to break the game open. The Warriors countered with a 5-0 run of their own, but both teams had trouble hitting shots late in the half. WCCS led 37-16 at the break.
Zwald said his strategy for this game was to deny Erie from getting the ball to the inside post and play tougher defense. The strategy worked as WCCS had 18 steals and forced Erie to settle for outside jumpers for most of the game.
Both teams traded field goals through the early part of the third quarter, but WCCS was able to pick up some rebounds off the offensive glass to help them go on another 9-0 run to close out the quarter and put the game away.
Moore had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Josh Wagonseller also finished in double digits with 10 points and Andrew Laird added seven points, six assists and five steals.
WCCS (3-6) will travel to Meadville Calvary Baptist (third in the NPCC) on Friday as part of a boys/girls doubleheader. Zwald is hoping some of the up tempo play and tough defense will carry over.
ERIE BETHEL (31): Hess 5 0-1 11, Neil 2 1-4 5, Donikowski 1 0-0 3, Tran 1 1-3 3, Vandervert 0 2-6 2, Watson 0 2-2 2, Oakes 1 0-0 2, Stumpo 1 0-0 2, Dietz 0 1-2 1, Jackson 0 0-0 0, Totals 11 7-18 31.
WCCS (58): Josh Carpenter 9 0-2 22, Carson Moore 6 1-1 13, Josh Wagonseller 4 0-0 10, Andrew Laird 3 1-4 7, Jamie Petrush 2 0-0 4, Eric Sorenson 1 0-1 2, Marcus Root 0 0-0 0, Tommy Jones 0 0-0 0, Daniel Lauffenburger 0 0-0 0, Josiah Poindexter 0 0-0 0, Totals 25 2-8 58.
Erie Bethel 9 7 6 9 -31
WCCS 21 16 19 3 -58
3-pointers: E-Donikowski, Hess. W-Carpenter 4, Wagonseller 2.