SPRINGFIELD — After a slow start plagued by turnovers and a lack of rhythm on offense, the Easthampton boys basketball team gutted out a 48-45 win over Ellington (Conn.), Thursday at the Spalding Hoophall Classic at Springfield College.
As the game went on, the turnovers faded and the offense began to click for the Eagles.
And as always with Easthampton (3-5) everything turned when the defense began disrupting the opposing offense.
A 3-pointer by Zach Crisafulli gave the Eagles a 47-44 lead with 2 minutes 33 seconds left and the defense held Ellington to one point the rest of the way..
Crisafulli had 17 points, nine rebounds and four steals for Easthampton.
“We lost our rhythm early in the second quarter,” Crisafulli said. “We didn’t take care of the ball and you need the ball to score. We calmed down a bit in the second half when the shots started going in.”
Zade Jenkins had back-to-back baskets for Easthampton that tied the game 44-44 before Crisafulli’s shot.
Easthampton was down one starter as Ish Akanour missed the game.
“He just has things going on,” Easthampton coach Brian Miller said. “He’s just not there. He’s got some physical issues and some things going on.”
Easthampton has yet to play with its full compliment of players this season.
“Hopefully we’ll have everyone back soon,” Miller said. “We have guys playing out of position.”
Sopie Pek returned from his foot injury for Easthampton.
“It’s nice to have Sopie back, but he wasn’t Sopie yet — someone who is strong with the ball,” Miller said. “Defensively he’s always in front of his man. But he wasn’t the scoring threat he normally is.”
Pek did have some turnovers in his first minutes of the season, but he has had limited practice time.
“You could tell he was still getting his bearings,” Crisafulli said. “We all trust him that’s why he was in right at the beginning. It’s huge to have him back.”
The Eagles’ offense lacked flow in the first quarter, but picked up toward the end of the second as the defense led to open-court situations.
Ellington’s Kevin Rendler (18 points) used his dribble to get to open spots for jumpers.
The Easthampton defense clamped down on Rendler in the second half as Crisafulli playing him primarily. The Eagles aggressively switched on ball screens for Rendler.
Josh Brown was consistent for Easthampton and finished with six points and eight rebounds.
Johnny Bara (eight points) had two 3-pointers in the third quarter that helped the Eagles overcome a seven-point deficit. His second 3 tied the game at 32.
