Knights fall short in key contest against Connell

Connell 43, ROYAL 36

CONNELL - In a game that meant plenty for the Royal Knights'

post season chances, the team's offense went into hibernation at

the worst time.

Hoping to pull out the road win and record the season sweep, the

Knights' offense could only muster 11 first half points and despite

a solid defensive effort could not overcome their early

deficit...

Connell 43, ROYAL 36

CONNELL - In a game that meant plenty for the Royal Knights' post season chances, the team's offense went into hibernation at the worst time.

Hoping to pull out the road win and record the season sweep, the Knights' offense could only muster 11 first half points and despite a solid defensive effort could not overcome their early deficit in a 43-36 defeat.

Royal (8-10, 4-6) now trail Connell by one game in the South Central Athletic Conference (SCAC) East for the last district playoff spot with two games to play.

The Knights had beaten Connell earlier in the year and a win Saturday would have given them a one game lead plus the head-to-head tiebreaker.

"This is not where I though we would be at the beginning of the year," Royal head coach Pete Christensen said. "These guys have the talent to go great things they just need a bit more time. I hope, for their sakes it isn't too late to make the district round for this year.  It will be a huge learning experience for them."

Royal was led by Kent Christensen's 11 points and Neil Leitz's 10 points.

"Connell is a very physical team and the officials were calling a game that favored that style of play," Pete Christensen said. "In hind sight I feel we should have ratcheted up our physicality. We had plenty of quality looks at the basket, with a majority of them inside the paint, but for what ever reason the lid was on our basket pretty tightly."

The night before Royal won a similar type of contest, a 44-34 slugfest against Wahluke.

Kent Christensen 11 points and Neil Lietz added 10 points.