Seneca No Match for Cougars

It seems like it's been just days since the Cougars were 0-2 and struggling to find their identity as a team. Starting with their game against Gloucester Catholic on December 28, the Cougars have been 6-1, losing to only a very good Cherokee team. Today was no different, as the Cougars tossed aside Seneca 72-50.

Although the game started out very slowly offensively with only 5 points scored in the first 3 1/2 minutes, the Cougars took control of the game towards the end of the first quarter. The quarter ended with the Cougars with a comfortable lead of 20-6. Marc Schlessel ('12) contributed 9 points (via 3 three pointers) and 5 rebounds in the quarter.

The second quarter was much more of the same with the Cougars maintaining a steady lead. At the end of the half, the Cougars led 38-25. The score at the half did not indicate how dominant the Cougars were in the half. Every spectator knew they would win from the outset.

By halftime, Schlessel had 13 points and 7 rebounds, Chris Santo ('11) had 13 points and Seth Friedman ('10) contributed 8 assists.

Seneca never made a serious attempt at a comeback in the second half, although they did cut the Cougar lead to 9 with 7 minutes left in the third quarter.

Players of the Game: Schlessel and Santo. Although Santo had a better statistical game than Schlessel with 30 points and 13 rebounds, Schlessel was just as valuable to the Cougars today. In the first quarter, Schlessel hit 3 three pointers to jump-start the Cougar offense and gathered in 5 rebounds in that quarter alone. Overall, Schlessel was a solid 5 of 10 from beyond the arc and finished with 19 points. Just as Schlessel started the game off strong for East, Santo finished off Seneca with 12 points in the fourth quarter alone.