Pearl River Pulls Away for 68-46 Victory Over Irvington

The snow has been falling all winter, but the Pearl River Pirates boy’s varsity basketball squad spent Friday night making it raining threes at home against Irvington.

The Bulldogs kept the game close for a half, but the Pirates dominated the second half in a 68-46 victory, improving to 13-3 on the season.

“We got off to a slow start today,” said Pearl River head coach Jerry Houston. “Irvington is a match-up problem for us. They have a big man who is good underneath and outside and a dangerous point guard. But hey, everything looks better when you are knocking down shots and that’s what we did tonight.”

The Pirates did not do that early as they started slowly and Irvington’s Bulldogs were keeping up basket for basket. The game was dead even through the first quarter and tied, 17-17.

In the second quarter the Pirates got back to playing Houston’s brand of basketball. They pushed the ball up court quickly each possession looking for easy baskets. Unlike many teams out there, the Pirates do not push the ball to drive to the hoop. They push the ball with intent of kicking it out to an open shooter. By playing their kind of fast-paced game and knocking down shots, the Pirates took a 34-28 lead to the half.

“They push the ball as well as any team out there,” said Irvington Head Coach Mike Auerbach. “They are a fast break team, but they do it to get open jump shots. We need to get back on defense and get out on their shooters in the second half.”

The second half was all Pirates. The Bulldogs found themselves trying to keep up with Pearl River’s pace rather than staying within their own game.

Pearl River started the second half with a 25-11 run and instituted their three-quarter-court press for the entire second half. Irvington went through a stretch of three straight turnovers forced by Pearl River’s press. 

The Pirates did not miss a shot during tha trun of Bulldog turnovers. Senior guard Luke Houston was left wide open after a few swing passes from the Pirates, he squared his shoulders and banged a three-point shot. On the following inbound from Irvington the pass was intercepted by Austin O’To0le, who made his layup and was sent to the line to earn his three points the old fashioned way.

After controlling the clock and ball for the rest of the game, the Pirates shook hands against the Bulldogs as winners at home.

Pearl River plays Nyack 6 p.m. Monday on senior recognition night at home, with sectionals just about two weeks away.

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