Ellwood City used a second half surge to pull away and defeat District 6 Champion Westmont 62-44 in the opening round of the PIAA 3A Playoffs on Saturday.
The Wolverines held the Hilltoppers to only 12 points in the second half and recovered from three point deficit in the process.
Joseph Roth led all scorers with 31 points. The senior hauled in 17 rebounds and added seven assists.
Roth scored 11 points in the the first quarter as Ellwood City struck for 21 points, but the Wolverines trailed 32-29 at halftime.
Westmont was held to only five field goals in the second half and Roth poured in 15 second half points to help the Wolverines pull away for the victory. The Wolverines shot 56% from the field while holding the Hilltoppers to 0-10 from the 3-point line second half.
Aaron Lake scored all 11 of his points, including two 3rd quarter 3-pointers, in the pivotal second half.
Sophomore guard Jack Wesner scored 10 of his team-high 16 points in the second quarter for the Hilltoppers in defeat.
Ellwood City (18-9 Overall) advances to play a familiar WPIAL foe in Mohawk in the PIAA Second Round. The Warriors defeated District 9 Champion Moniteau on Saturday for the program’s first state playoff win since 1970. Ellwood City and Mohawk will play Wednesday at New Castle Area High School at 7:00 p.m.
Roth and the Wolverines will look to exact some revenge against the Warriors who defeated Ellwood City twice in the regular season. Roth posted a career high 51 points in a January loss at Mohawk.
The Wolverines and Warriors, along with WPIAL Champion Deer Lakes, are the three of seven teams from District 7 (WPIAL) to collect a PIAA opening round victory. [VIEW FULL BRACKET]
NOTE: There will be NO cash tickets sold at the door for Wednesday’s game at New Castle. All tickets are sold online – www.piaa.org/sports/tickets.aspx?from=hellobar
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