Clovers dominate Eagles, 67-48, on Homecoming
CLOVERDALE -- Craig Blair's 32 points led Cloverdale to an easy 67-48 win over visiting South Putnam before a large Homecoming crowd at Cloverdale Friday night.
Blair and Brandon Moon combined for 18 points in the opening quarter, as the Clovers held a 20-14 advantage.
That was as close as the Eagles would get for the remainder of the evening, as they simply had no answer for Blair. South put up a barrage from beyond three-point range, but rarely connected and trailed 32-20 at the intermission.
In the third, Blair chalked up 15 of Cloverdale's 23 points and the Clovers extended their lead to 20, 55-35.
In the final period, with Blair and Moon on the bench, Brian Gardner's South squad was able to outscore Cloverdale, 13-12, but never seriously threatened.
Gardner commented on his team's overall effort at the game's conclusion. "We gotta learn to play with a sense of urgency like we did in the last four minutes tonight," said the South Putnam mentor.
Cloverdale coach Pat Rady was pleased with his squad's performance. "I was very pleased with the effort tonight. We made some good passes, had some good assists. I thought the crowd and our student body was great tonight. When we came out, it reminded me of the Cameron Crazies. I told our kids we needed to have a solid game to show our crowd we appreciate that."
The Eagles were led by Nathan Welty, who scored 13 points.
Cloverdale (7-9, 3-2 WCC) travels to Owen Valley this evening. South Putnam (2-12, 0-5 WCC) hosts Riverton Parke tonight.
At Cloverdale
South Putnam 14 6 15 13 -- 48
Cloverdale 20 12 23 12 -- 67