Sports

Springfield runs away from Rivendell 

By DAN BARILE 

Eagle Times Correspondent 

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Teams often choose to play it safe when leading by double digits in the fourth quarter, but the Springfield Cosmos elected to ratchet up the pressure during the final frame against Rivendell  

Implementing a full-court press turned out to be a wise choice for the Cosmos, who forced several turnovers while posting 27 points during the final period.   

After finishing the third quarter with a nine-point advantage, Springfield’s lead ballooned to as much as 23 points before coming away with a 61-42 victory at Dressel Gymnasium.  

The first half went quite differently than the final eight minutes with both teams struggling to find the bottom of the net. Springfield freshman Jameer Cosby was the lone exception, draining two threes and scoring nine points to help the Cosmos enter the half with a 20-15 edge.  

Springfield began to find its touch after the break, scoring the first eight points of the period to claim a 13-point lead. The Raptors chipped away at the Cosmos lead and cut the deficit to 34-25 entering the final frame.  

With the scoreboard reading 39-29, Springfield and Rivendell found an extra gear over the final five minutes. While Springfield’s full-court pressure caused several turnovers that led to easy buckets, the Cosmos also fouled Rivendell on many occasions. The Raptors capitalized by connecting on nine of 11 free throws, but Oliver Kelley offset the damage, draining three shots from beyond the arc during the same stretch.  

Jameer Cosby led Springfield with 16 points, Oliver Kelley was next with 14, and Bradley Gallant and Nick Wiese each added 10. Nolan Bourn led Rivendell (1-11) with 14 points and Evan Woodward followed with 12.  

Springfield (4-7) hosts Woodstock in its next contest on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Wasps earned a 75-47 victory over Springfield when they met in Woodstock on Jan. 10.