MONROE, NJ–In the first game of the Thursday night tripleheader at the 2014 Monroe Sports Center Fall League, the host school, Monroe took on Manalapan of the Shore Conference. The Falcons, which won their opening night game on Tuesday over Allentown (59-53), jumped out to a 10-4 lead behind the play of Eddie Pinto, but the trapping defense and depth of Manalapan eventually caught up with Monroe. Forcing numerous turnovers, the Braves eventually broke away from a 24-23 deficit in the second half with a 10-0 spurt to take a 33-24 lead, and continued to pull away from there to a 41-27 victory. Below are game notes from the contest.
First Half
11:45–MON–jumps out to an 8-4 lead on two scores by Eddie Pinto.
10:48–MON–fouled–makes both FTs for a 10-4 lead.
3:45–MON–Tyler Salzer scores a bucket to end a 6-2 MAN burst for a 14-10 MON lead.
1:54–MAN–causing a lot of problems with its trapping defense. Â Two steals for layups to tie game at 14-14.
0:29–MON–layup from right low block by a cutting Salzer for a 16-14 lead.
3.0–MAN–scores on layup from right side that gets a kind roll for a 16-16 tie at half.
Second Half
18:30–after layup by Pinto for MON, MAN connects on a three from left side for a 19-18 lead.
13:02–MON–hits three from right wing for 6-4 run and a 24-23 lead.
7:38–MON–timeout after a 10-0 run by MAN for a 33-24 lead.
4:29–MON–Salzer layup off stl and assist by Pinto as he was fouled for a three point play and a 33-27 MAN lead.
1:59–MAN–layup for a 6-0 run and a 39-27 lead.
1:05–MAN–layup for a 41-27 lead.
MAN wins 41-27.