#14 East Orange stepped into its gym at the former Upsala College on Tuesday night determined to defend its ranking and turf against a game RBC squad that was looking for the marquee win it needed to jump start its run this season. Fans were treated to a see-saw battle through three before the Jaguars surged ahead in the fourth to seal a 66-49 win.
The first quarter was played at pace, but the Caseys were able to connect early with their 6’6” senior big man Tyler Burnam, who found himself with prime positioning on the low block and a physical advantage on the entire EO team. Luke Iasparro hit a confident three and after a set of layups from Prior, Cavanaugh and Burnam, RBC was up 14-7 midway through the first. A Prior triple gave RBC a 10 point lead with 3 minutes to play in the first stanza and RBC looked like they were on their way, but EO went on a run with Burnam on the bench and RBC held a 22-17 lead after one in a fast paced quarter.
EO opened the quarter on an 8-0 run and took a 25-22 lead with 3:00 to go in the half, as RBC had gone cold—It was part of a two quarter, 16-0 run from EOC that gave them the lead over the Caseys. RBC broke the ice with a pair of threes from Saxton and Alec Montana. After a pair of Burnam FT, RBC recaptured the lead at 32-30 lead with a minute to go until half and the Caseys held a slim 34-33 lead at the break.
Gavin Jones led all scorers at the break with 11, while Burnam had 9 hard earned paint points for RBC.
Iasparro began the third with a layup in transition, but EO found a jumper and a three from Gavin Jones gave them a 38-36 lead with 6:00 to go in the third. The teams traded baskets through the middle of the quarter, with EO taking a 43-40 lead at the 2:00 mark. EO extended their lead to 47-40 after a pair of layups with 90 seconds to go in the quarter. A Burnam layup just before the buzzer cut the lead to 5 after 3, 47-42.
Jones and Burnam, who led RBC with 15, both made baskets to start the fourth and a Pasquale Sabino triple cut the EO lead to 49-47 with 5:13 to go, bringing a timeout. EO responded with back to back triples to open the lead to 55-47. EO was able to put their foot on the gas and close out the 66-49 win.
Case Agency Player Of The Game
Gavin Jones, East Orange
The 6’3” senior knows his role for the Jaguars, but is showing to have a penchant for stepping up in big games. He had 23 in their upset win over Newark Arts prior to Christmas and then followed it up with an impressive 19 point performance this evening, including four triples. In a balanced attack, it was his play that separated EOC from the Caseys.
