CLAREMONT – Drew Grenier lit up the scoreboard in the final eight minutes for 11 points as the Cardinals didn’t let this one get away on Friday. Stevens was clinging to a slim 33-31 lead when the Cardinals offense keyed by Grenier who ripped off 12 unanswered points while outscoring Mascoma 26-9 in the quarter to win going away 55-38.
It was senior night for Stevens as eight players were recognized before the game. Drew Grenier, Joe Desilets, Mitch Paquette, Luke Come, Tanner Durkee, Dylan Lumbra, Teagan Daignault and James Aiken all took their place at mid court with family, friends and teammates one last time at Stevens High school.
With Stevens head coach Matt Baird-Torney starting all seniors, his troops ran out to a 11-7 first quarter and 17-13 halftime lead in a turnover filled first 16 minutes. Desilets got the party started with a nifty opening bucket and Grenier, Come, Durkee and Daignault all had their names in the scorebook with points for Stevens by the break. Mascoma turned that deficit into a 21-17 with an 8-0 run which was ended by Come’s four foul shots and an offensive rebound put in to cut the lead to 24-23 in favor of the Royals. Damon Roy’s last foul shot of the 3rd quarter tied the game 29-29 for Stevens.
Derrick Stanhope drilled a deep three pointer to put Stevens ahead after a loud Durkee block on the other end. Grenier had a couple of buckets sandwiched around a Roy three pointer and foul shot then, Grenier snapped a three pointer of his own to give Stevens a 43-33 lead with 3:30 remaining. Josh Stithen and Durkee canned buckets and the Cardinals had blown open the game 47-33. The Dylan Lumbra chant was flowing down from the student section and grew thunderous when Lumbra entered the game. James Aiken put the finishing touches on the Cardinals win with the final bucket for the final score on the night.
Grenier led everyone tonight with 19 points and was followed by Come who scored 12 points. Durkee netted 6 points while Stanhope and Roy each had 5 points. Desilets, Daignault and Aiken closed out the scoring with a bucket each. The Cardinals only shot 10 for 22 from the line while canning 5 three pointers tonight.
The 10 and 8 Cardinals are in 12th place in the NHIAA D3 standings. Mascoma falls to 6-12 as they fight for the final playoff spot. Tournament pairings will be announced on Monday.
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