Wolverines Take Down Pandas 76-65

Bridgton Academy traveled up to Lee Academy Tuesday night to take on the Pandas and were able to come away with a well earned 76-65 win.

The first half remained close throughout with neither team really able to separate themselves from the other. Justin Rake was able to keep the Wolverines close as he poured in 17 first half points, including five 3 point field goals, though it wasn't enough as Lee took a 35-34 lead into half time.

Bridgton started the second half with a run that gave them the lead once again and this time they never looked back. The Wolverines were able to force 16 second half turnovers (27 in the game) providing them with a number of easy baskets. Free throw shooting was also a key as the Wolverines were able to knock down 20-24 attemps in the second half, Malik Stith (Long Island, NY) was once again the offensive leader for the Wolverines when they needed it most scoring 20 of his game high 23 points in the second half, including making 16-17 from the free throw line.

Stith paced Bridgton with his 23 points, Carl Blair (Katy, TX) followed with 18 points, Justin Rake 17, and Jack Houpt (Chesterton, IN) once again turned in a solid all around game contributing 8 points.

When reached for comment after the game Head Coach Whit Lesure said, "I thought it was a really good team effort tonight. A lot of different guys stepped up. Rake (Justin) flat out kept us in it in the first half. Stith and Blair did a good job together in the 2nd."

He went on to note that, "The way we started the 2nd half was exceptional and then the game was in our favor. Our pressure free throws stopped them from coming back on us."

With the win the Wolverines improve to 19-6 on the season. They return to action Friday night when they travel to NEPSAC rival New Hampton school for a big conference game, tip off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.