BF runs past Springfield

It was a game of runs for Bellows Falls as the Terriors rode four different bursts of seven points or more to a 60-30 victory over Springfield Friday night.

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BF runs past Springfield By TIM TAYLOR sports@eagletimes.com Bellows Falls’ Chris McKeen drives to the hoop past Springfield’s Chris Hopkins during Friday night’s game. — TIM TAYLOR Bellows Falls’ Chris McKeen drives to the hoop past Springfield’s Chris Hopkins during Friday night’s game. — TIM TAYLOR WESTMINSTER — It was a game of runs for Bellows Falls as the Terriors rode four different bursts of seven points or more to a 60-30 victory over Springfield Friday night. “That's two games in a row, coming right out and scoring off the get-go,” said BF coach Ryan Stoodley. “And it's been helping that our rebounding [the] last two games has been very good.” “We're not built to score 80 points a game,” said Springfield coach Michael Ruppel. The first two runs came in the opening quarter as BF got hot and scored off four straight turnovers. With the Cosmos up 3-2 early on an Alex Naccarato 3-pointer, the terriers Shane Clark scored twice off turnovers, and Zac Streeter and Anthony Mueller scored once each off Springfield giveaway, highlighting a 10-0 spurt. Bellows Falls added an 8-0 run later in the period to push its advantage to 20-7 before a Tyler Thomas basket and a GJ Scherington's trey at the buzzer cut the gap to 20-12. Clark and Cam Joy sparked the first-quarter effort with six and seven points, respectively. The Terriers would go on an 11-0 run to start the second quarter with Clark adding four more points. Meanwhile, BF held the Cosmos scoreless for nearly 5 1/2 minutes before Michael Messer and Scherington ended the half with consecutive baskets to make it 30-16 at the break. With the offensive attack looking pretty solid, the BF defense played havoc with a Springfield team that has struggled with turnovers since the season's onset. “This year, we worked on defense more than we did offense for the first couple weeks,” Stoodley said. “That's why I think our offense has been a little bit more sluggish at times, because I wanted to play more defense this year than last year.”Springfield’s Michael Messer shoots over Bellows Falls’ Chris Doucet. — TIM TAYLOR Springfield’s Michael Messer shoots over Bellows Falls’ Chris Doucet. — TIM TAYLOR “Turnovers were a big challenge for us and they continue to be,” said Ruppel. “I thought as the game went on we got a little bit more crisp offensively. We saw a lot of good motion, which I was happy about. We didn't hit many shots today,which hurt us. I felt like we had a couple go in and out, they had a couple bounce in, and that kind of set the tone early for us, and that was a challenge.” Bellows Falls dealt the Cosmos the big blow in the third quarter, keeping the visitors off the scoreboard while pouring in 18. That run would continue with another point in the fourth. Joy continued to stay hot, hitting four field goals, one a trey, as the Terriers cruised into the final stanza with a 48-16 cushion. Springfield's Dre Jackson finally halted the run with a basket 52 seconds into the fourth and bringing to an end a Cosmos scoring drought that lasted more than 10 minutes. Jackson would knock down a pair of 3-pointers after that, but it was far too little and far too late as the Terriers won their second straight game. Joy finished with a game-high 16 points that included two treys, and also pulled down six rebounds. Clark added 13 points and eight boards. Mueller, Jacob Metcalfe and Zach Chapin contributed six points apiece. “Shane Clark … his second game in a row almost having a double-double, so he's starting to play good,” said Stoodley. “Cam Joy is starting to catch on fire, making more shots. All these guys that played young last year are starting to mature real quickly.” Messer and Jackson finished with eight points each for the Cosmos, and Scherington pitched in with seven. Bellows Falls (2-1) hosts Long Trail at 6 p.m. Monday, following the varsity girls game. Springfield (0-3) travels to Fair Haven on Friday. http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/RH/20151212/SPORTS02/151219862