By Colin Harris | Staff Writer
Ravenna's pressure was too much for the Field Falcons to handle.
Trailing to begin the second half, the visiting Ravens cranked up the pressure in the final two quarters and notched a 60-55 PTC Metro Division victory.
"We did not stick to our fundamentals in the second half and we started doing whatever we wanted," Field head coach Jon Lane said about his team's second-half play. "We panicked because of their pressure and we didn't run the press-breaker we should have.
"If we had just run our press-breaker, I think we could have broken it and gotten some layups," Lane added.
Field (2-6, 0-6 PTC Metro) went into the locker room at the half with a 32-26 lead after forward Levi Lowden scored on a put-back chance as time expired.
From that point, little went the Falcons way as 10 second-half turnovers gave Ravenna (6-5, 3-3) numerous quick buckets as it slowly clawed back into the game.
Ravenna trapped and pressed on nearly every trip down the court as speedy Ravens defenders jumped into passing lanes and forced Field to play at a faster pace then they appeared comfortable with doing.
"We let Ravenna dictate the pace in the second half and that was what beat us," Lane said.
Ravenna head coach Phil Starks said he was happy with the team defense his squad displayed over the final two quarters.
"I'm really happy with the effort we're getting from everyone, even if they're not showing up in the scorebook," Starks said. "We've got kids coming off the bench and giving us positive contributions on defense or in rebounds."
Ravenna and Field battled in the second half until Ravenna took a 55-53 lead with around 1:30 remaining in regulation on a Tate Bennett 3-pointer.
Field's Nate Conroy tied the game back up at 55-55 on the next trip down the court, but a quick follow-up bucket from Ravenna forward Ty-Shawn Dukes gave the Ravens back the lead.
Pressure by Ravenna's defenders cost Field with turnovers on its next two possessions and allowed the Ravens to seal the victory at the foul line.
Ravenna took advantage of its two strengths on the evening, pressuring Field with its athleticism while also flexing an advantage on the glass.
The bigger Ravens out-rebounded Field, 36-29 -- including a 13-9 edge on the offensive glass. Senior forward Jermaine Justice finished with 11 rebounds (eight offensive) to lead all players.
Justice also finished with a game-high 23 points in the winning effort.
Eight players scored for Ravenna on the evening as Bennett joining Justice in double-figures with 13 points.
Starks continued his praise of the way his team is beginning to play as the second half of the season approaches.
"Guys aren't always happy if they're not showing up in the scorebook, but what matters is getting the 'W'," Starks said. "And I think they're starting to buy in to that philosophy.
"We've got guys who are going out there and putting aside any problems they might have with each other and playing together," Starks added.
Field was led in scoring by forward Macklin Coleman, who finished with 16 points to go along with six rebounds. Teammate Michael Poole also finished in double-figures with 12 points.
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