ST. MARYS, Pa. – Cahil Parish scored 21 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to lift St. Marys to a 65-56 win over Warren on Monday.

The loss is the first of the season for the Dragons (2-1) after they won the Brookville Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday.

“Not our best defensive effort,” said Warren coach Jeff Berdine. “It was a good opportunity to see how we’re going to handle a hostile road environment. I don’t think we played as well as we’re capable of.”

The Dragons, playing their third-straight District 9 opponent to start the season, got off to a strong start, leading 17-12 after the opening quarter, thanks in part to seven early points from Jake Kupchella, who led them for the game with 16.

St. Marys (2-1) kept within striking distance and trailed by just 3, 30-27 at the break.

The Dutch heated up in the second half, as not only did Parish drop in 21 in the second half, but teammate Nick Catalone had 8 of his 10 in the final 16 minutes.

“Their guards did a nice job penetrating and kicking,” Berdine said. “And when we helped we weren’t able to recover, which led to open shots and they made them.”

Warren also committed 18 turnovers in the loss.

The good news for the Dragons is that they get a chance for revenge in a week, when they welcome the Dutch to Joseph A. Massa Gymnasium.

Caleb Ei just missed a double-double for Warren with 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Griffin Suppa had 10 points, Kupchella 4 assists and 3 steals and Aidan Morrison three steals.

“This was a good one to learn from early in the season,” Berdine said.

The JV team was a big winner over the Dutch, 77-29.

Thomas Bablak led a balanced effort with 14 points, while Ryan Arnold had 13.

The Dragons welcome a talented Cathedral Prep squad to town on Wednesday for their home opener.

– – –

WARREN (56)

Morrison 3-0-1-6, Kupchella 6-2-4-16, McMeans 3-0-0-8, Ei 4-4-4-12, Suppa 4-2-2-10, Grosch 1-2-2-4, Bablak 0-0-0-0, Funari 0-0-0-0, Totals 21-10-13-56

ST. MARYS (65)

Parish 11-5-9-29, Lasko 0-0-0-0, Catalone 4-0-1-10, Reiter 3-6-9-12, Walker 3-0-0-8, Wilson 2-0-0-6, Ruscioelli 0-0-0-0, Erich 0-0-0-0, Totals 23-11-19-65

By Quarters

Warren 17 13 14 12 – 56

St. Marys 12 15 20 18 – 65

Three-point FGs: Warren (4) – Kupchella 2, McMeans 2; St. Marys (8) – Parish 2, Catalone 2, Walker 2, Wilson 2

– – –

JV

WARREN (77)

R. Arnold 6-0-0-13, Rafalski 2-0-2-4, Berdine 4-1-1-9, Bablak 7-0-0-14, B. Arnold 2-0-0-6, Morse 4-0-0-8, Gustafson 1-0-0-2, Hussey 0-0-0-0, Borger 0-0-0-0, Swanson 4-0-0-8, Barnes 3-0-0-6, Vazquez 0-0-0-0, Salapek 3-1-1-7, Totals 36-2-4-77

ST. MARYS (29)

Nunes 2-1-2-5, Robinson 2-0-0-5, Schlimm 1-0-0-2, Ruscioelli 2-1-2-5, Walker 0-2-2-2, Housler 4-0-0-10, Totals 11-4-6-29

By Quarters

Warren 18 14 27 18 – 77

St. Marys

Three-point FGs: Warren (3) – B. Arnold 2, R. Arnold; St. Marys (3) – Housler 2, Robinson