Macomb’s smothering defense gave the Saukees of Pittsfield fits for every bit of this game and pulled away with a 40-22 quarterfinal victory. The Bombers forced 17 Saukee turnovers and converted them into 12 points on the other end, including five fast break points. The Saukees hit a three-point play with 4:18 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 10-10. From that point on, however, Macomb took the lead and never gave it back up.
Pittsfield held their own in the rebounding battle, matching Macomb’s 19 boards and, in fact, shot a higher FG% than did the Bombers. The score was 17-10 Macomb at the half, but after a 14-6 third quarter, the game quickly got away from the Saukees.
Macomb was led by a pair of double-digit scorers: Connor Watson (14) and Caden Mainland (10). Mainland also had a game-high six rebounds, after also leading the Bombers in their first tournament game yesterday. Haden Case led the game with two blocks. Macomb shot well (8-for-10) from the free throw line.
The Saukees’s Nate Scranton led his team with 10 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Carter Klatt finished with seven points and three rebounds.
Macomb (10-3) advances to the semifinal to face the winner of the Eureka/Lewistown game. The Bombers will be playing in Game 22, which will tip off at 2:30pm tomorrow afternoon. Pittsfield (6-4) moves into the 5th place semifinal to face the loser of Eureka/Lewistown in Game 20 at 10:30am in Western Hall.
Box Score
Pittsfield Info
Macomb Info
Chris Derry
December 28, 2021
