Paul VI freshman guard Trevor Keels came up big the Panthers’ 62-57 road win over the St. John’s Cadets on Tuesday night.
Keels, who finished with 15 points, went 4-4 from the free throw line as the Cadets fouled him back-to-back times sending him to the strike. The freshman was not phased by the moment, netting all four foul shots.
St John’s led most of the first half behind its guard play of Delonnie Hunt and Tre Wood. Both guards did a great job of getting into the gaps and finding center Richard Njoku for easy dunks at the rim. The Cadets took a 28-21 lead into the half.
Paul VI guard and Villanova commit Brandon Slater came out of halftime and sparked a 10-2 run on with a top of the key three pointer. Panthers’ guard Anthony Harris followed with a dunk in transition.
Paul VI put pressure on St John’s, which led to another steal and basket for Harris.
St John’s eventually wouldn’t let Paul VI’s defensive intensity get to them. Junior guard Casey Morsell converted a pull-up three to put the Cadets back on top.
Paul VI guard Jeremy Roach, who is the No. 14 ranked sophomore in the country took over the offense in the fourth quarter. The ball went through him in the pick and roll offense. Roach got to the rim back-to-back plays then nailed a three pointer off a pass from Brandon Slater, which put the game out of reach from St John’s.
Slater finished with 12 points and Harris registered 13 points. Roach chipped in nine points and made one three-pointer.
Morsell led the Cadets with 14 points, while point guard Tre Wood scored 13 points.
St John’s will play Gonzaga on the road, while Paul VI faces Archbishop Carroll on Thursday night.
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