Howard Hanna WB cruises past first-place Union Cleaners

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Howard Hanna Wilson Baum created a four-way tie atop the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League boys division standings with a convincing 81-69 victory over Union Cleaners Tuesday at Marx’s Court Time Sports Center. 

Trailing 21-16 following a 9-3 run by Union Cleaners (3-2), Howard Hanna (3-2) used a big run late in the first half to gain momentum that they never relinquished. 

Howard Hanna head coach Matt Rowland called a timeout with just under five minutes remaining in the first half in an attempt to regroup, and it evidently worked. 

Over the final 4:46, Howard Hanna gained some much needed separation, marching out on a 17-2 run that gave them a commanding 33-23 advantage at halftime. Howard Hanna tied the game at 23-23 during the spurt and finished the frame with a 10-0 surge highlighted by a seven-point effort by Laurel Highlands standout Keondre DeShields. 

Howard Hanna went on to outscore Union Cleaners by a 48-46 margin to seal the win in a back-and-forth second-half effort. 

“We put some stops together and hit some big shots there in the first half,” Rowland said. “We had a quick start to the game and had a little lull, but we picked it up, so it was good.” 

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