PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. - The Apprentice School men's basketball overcame a sluggish start to clinch a 75-64 victory at Valley Forge on Saturday afternoon.
ON THE COURT: The Builders struggled early and even trailed by double-digits in the first half before going on a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to two points. Bryant Fuller converted a layup to start the run and the Builders saw additional contributions in the paint by Marion Moore and Drew Walton to cut the lead to 24-22. The Builders stayed within a few possessions the remainder of the half before a Brandon Joyner three-pointer before the half tied the game at 34 apiece. Drew Walton had 12 of the team's 34 points in the first half. The Patriots took the lead on a pair of free throws before a layup by Bryant Fuller tied the game and two free-throws by Corey Joyner gave the Builders their first and only lead of the game that they would not relinquish. The Builders saw their lead extend to double digits on a pair of layups before the Patriots went on a 14-6 run to cut the deficit to three. The Builders held the Patriots scoreless for roughly the next three minutes and gave themselves a comfortable margin to close out the victory.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE:
- Drew Walton led all scorers with 26 points. He added 14 rebounds for a double-double.
- Marion Moore contributed 14 points and seven rebounds.
- Corey Joyner had eight points and added eight assists for the Builders.
- The Builders forced 16 turnovers and scored 16 points off the miscues.
- The Builders shot 11% from the three-point line but were successful in the paint, scoring 38, and converting 23 free throws out of 30 attempts.
- Valley Forge was led by Cody Collins, who had 22 points.
The Builders continue their string of five consecutive road games with two conference matchups next weekend. The Apprentice School faces Johnson & Wales on Friday afternoon at 12 p.m. before facing Clinton College on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The Builders dropped close contests to both teams earlier in the season with an 89-82 setback to Johnson & Wales and a 99-95 tough loss to Clinton.