Rams 53, Vikings 50
Jerry Davis Fouled by Mike Kornacker
The Gordon Tech Rams won a thriller Friday evening defeating the St. Laurence Vikings 53 to 50 at GT’s Tom Weinicki Gym.
After the Rams slept walked through the first half falling behind 28 to 18, GT Coach Tom Kleinschmidt taught, cajoled, shouted, encouraged, threatened, cheered and somehow got his Rams focused on moving the ball for open shots. Down fourteen points midway through the third quarter the Rams turned up the defensive tempo. Lead by senior guard Devanchey Bell’s defensive pressure, the Rams forced turnovers and grabbed rebounds. Defense hasn’t been the issue this season. Scoring from the outside has. Tonight the Rams hit some outside shots. Sophomore Chris Harrell drained a three to bring the Rams within 4 a minute into the 4th quarter.
Cook County Clerk David Orr joined the Rams student section in cheering on the Rams.
The game got a little chippy as St. Laurence felt the game slipping away. St. Laurence junior forward Mike Kornacker was called for an intentional foul after he tackled GT senior guard Jerry Davis as Davis went in for a layup. The young St. Laurence team is having a tough year and is winless in the Catholic League.
The Rams jumped out to a five point lead inside the final minute. A GT turnover under the St. Laurence basket lead to a St. Laurence bucket making it a three point game with a few seconds left. But the Rams smothering defense refused to let the Vikings get off a potentially game tying shot as time expired. The Rams won 53 to 50 for their second Chicago Catholic League victory in the last three tries. Mt. Carmel is next for the Rams on Friday at Mt. Carmel.
See more photos from the game at the Welles Park Bulldog facebook page. Get in-game updates on Twitter by following #JackLydon63.
