St. Anthony Wins Season Opener at Thanksgiving Tournament

The St. Anthony Bulldogs won their season opener Monday night, defeating the Tolono Unity Rockets 51-37 at the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

(JACCOB DUST)

The Bulldogs combined 49% shooting from the field with just nine turnovers committed and good defense to post the win. St. Anthony was able to overcome 12 of 29 foul shooting, but as Bulldogs Coach Cody Rincker noted he'd take 29 foul shot attempts to two for the opposing squad. That was the case Monday, as Unity was 2-of-2 at the line.

St. Anthony and Unity battled for the lead throughout the first half. The Bulldogs trailed 11-10 after one quarter, but outscored the Rockets 17-12 in the second period to lead 27-23 at halftime.

The third quarter was key, as St. Anthony outscored the Rockets 14-4 to extend the lead to 14 points headed to the final quarter. A 10-10 fourth quarter standoff gave the Bulldogs the win.

St. Anthony made 18 of 38 shots for 49%, despite making just 3 of 16 three-point tries.

Unity made just 15 of 44 shots for 34%, including 5 of 22 threes. The Rockets turned the ball over 14 times. Each team grabbed 27 rebounds.

Jaccob Dust had a big night for the Bulldogs, scoring 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Dust had a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds. Kaden Fearday was also in double figures with 10 points and grabbed seven boards. Also for the Bulldogs: Alex Brandenburger scored seven points, Luke Ludwig and Jack Hoene six points apiece, and Bryson Wall four points. Wall and Brandenburger each had three rebounds, Hoene two, and Ludwig and Quinton Milleville a board apiece.

Brady Porter led Unity with 13 points, while Jared Routh added 12 points.

In the opener Monday, Robinson beat Okaw Valley 82-60.

Tuesday night, three games at the tournament: Okaw Valley vs. Breese Central at 5pm, Effingham and Highland at 6:30pm in the season opener for both teams, and Mattoon and Robinson at 8pm. We will have the Hearts game on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament

Game Two

ST. ANTHONY (51)

Hoene 1-4 -- 6, Milleville 0-0 -- 0, Brandenburger 2-2 -- 7, Ludwig 2-2 -- 6, Webb 0-0 -- 0, Elder 0-0 -- 0, Fearday 3-2 -- 10, Wall 1-2 -- 4, Dust 9-0 -- 18. TOTALS 18 FG, 12 FT.

TOLONO UNITY (37)

Powell 0-0 -- 0, Cain 0-0 -- 0, Bowers 0-0 -- 0, Miebach 2-0 -- 4, Routh 4-2 -- 12, Porter 5-0 -- 13, Crouse 2-0 -- 4, Innes 1-0 -- 2, Ewerks 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 15 FG, 2 FT.

St. Anthony           10    17    14    10    --    51

Tolono Unity          11    12      4    10    --    37

3-point FG -- St. Anthony 3 (Fearday 2, Brandenburger 1), Tolono Unity 5 (Porter 3, Routh 2).