The Utica Redskins (6-12) stopped a three game losing streak with a 40-25 road win over conference rival Lakewood on Feb. 9, led by some stellar defense and clutch shooting by Roman Gamble.
Utica went up 2-0, and while Lakewood was looking to put points on the board, Gavin Chinn was able to strip the ball for a steal. Utica took a 7-2 lead on a three by Dylan Yates, but Lakewood hit two baskets to cut the lead to one.
In the second quarter, Hunter McKinney nailed a shot from three to put Utica up 10-6. On the next two possessions for Lakewood, Yates showed off his defense skills with a steal and a block. Then with 5:05 on the clock, Gamble drained a three to put the Redskins up 13-6. With the score 17-11 and time expiring, Gamble had some ice water in his veins with a highly contested, step-back fallaway three that put Utica up by nine at the half.
At the beginning of the third quarter, McKinney got in front of a baseline pass for a steal. Utica outscored Lakewood 7-6 in the quarter, led by three points for Logan Gosnell, and it was a 27-17 lead for the Redskins after three.
Utica finished out strong with a 13-8 fourth quarter to secure the solid win. Yates had seven points in the closing frame, and Coen Woodward had a steal in the quarter for the Redskins.
“We played great defense as a team and stayed patient,” said Coach Brian Radabaugh. “Yates played really well and had a couple big buckets at key times for us.”
Utica shot 43% and hit 36% from three, while sinking 75% of their free throws. The Lancers shot 38% and were held to 20% from three. Utica had a 25-11 advantage in rebounds, 9-6 in assists, 4-3 in steals and the only block in the game.
Gamble led the offense with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. Yates also hit double figures with 10 points, including the three in the first quarter and seven points down the stretch. Chinn cleaned up the glass with 10 boards, and also had four points.
Licking Height 53, Utica 27
Licking Heights (15-3, 11-1) came out with a fire lit under them to start the game against Utica, and the Redskins could never recover in a 53-27 loss on Feb. 6.
Utica started off the game with some solid defense, when Gosnell grabbed a loose ball for a steal, but from there it was all Licking Heights. The Hornets went on a 6-1 run to open the first quarter, before Roman Gamble poked the ball loose for a steal to hopefully stop momentum. Unfortunately for the Redskins this was not the case, as Licking Heights scored the next nine points and took a 15-1 lead after one.
The Redskins found themselves down 28-3 in the second quarter, but Gosnell was able to get Utica back on the board with a three. They were outscored 20-7 in the quarter, and trailed 35-8 at halftime.
In the third quarter it was a 41-8 game when McKinney jumped in front of a pass and launched it downcourt to Gamble for a fast break layup. Yates also had a steal in the quarter for Utica. Licking Heights outscored the Redskins 14-9 in the third quarter and took a commanding 49-17 lead into the final frame.
It was a 51-17 game in the fourth quarter, but Isaac Hall showed the never give up attitude with a block on a layup attempt. McKinney followed this up with a three pointer from the corner. Chinn then stripped the ball and took it all the way to the basket for a fast break layup, completing a 5-0 run. Hall continued to play strong defense with a steal. The Redskins had a 10-4 fourth quarter, but the damage had already been done.
Utica shot 28% and only 13% from three, but they hit 69% of their free throws. Licking Heights shot 43% and 33% from three. The Hornets led 29-23 in boards, 10-4 in assists, 15-6 in steals and 3-1 in blocks.
Gosnell led the Utica squad in points with nine including a three pointer, and he was 4-for-4 from the foul line. Gamble scored seven points and hauled in five boards He went 3-for-3 on foul shots. Chinn scored five points and grabbed six boards. McKinney had three points and also blocked a pair of shots, while Yates had three points and a steal.
“Gavin Chinn had a very solid game,” said Coach Brian Radabaugh. “I was proud of our defensive effort and rebounding. We have been at the toughest point of our schedule and just need to stick with it so we can finish strong.”
