by Kent, Ohio – The Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders opened up their new gym with a 32-29 victory over visiting Streetsboro Tuesday night.
It was the season opener for both teams, and the home opener for Kent Roosevelt’s new gym.
The first quarter was until a Tyrel Ellington triple with 3:10 left. The Riders would add one more point on a free throw. Streetsboro guard Brevyn Nobles hit a free throw and Dakari Reese a layup for the only other points of the quarter.
In the second quarter, sophomore guard Jack Batten hit a triple to give the Rockets their first lead of the game. He also hit a jumper later in the quarter. Tyrel Ellington had a steal and transition layup for the only points for the Rough Riders in the second.
The halftime score was 9-6 in favor of Streetsboro, as both teams struggled from the field.
Streetsboro sophomore Jackson Gula hit a layup to start the third quarter. He later converted the and-one to give the Rockets a 12-6 lead in the third quarter.
Kent Roosevelt answered with a 10-3 run of their own. Senior forward Gavin Leslie had eight of those points.
From there, the two teams traded baskets. Charles Ivory connected from long range to give the Rockets a 22-20 lead going into the final quarter.
After Streetsboro tied it up, Gavin Leslie hit a jumper that would eventually give the Rough Riders the lead. Thanks to airtight defense, and five key points from Tyrel Ellington (a layup and a pair of free throws), Kent Roosevelt led 32-29 late in the game.
Streetsboro had one last chance to tie, but a Brevyn Nobles triple was off the mark, and Kent Roosevelt hung on for the victory.
The Rough Riders were led by junior guard Tyrel Ellington, who had 15 points to lead all scorers. Gavin Leslie chipped in ten, including eight in the key third quarter. Kent Roosevelt (1-0) travels to Field for another non-conference game Saturday, December 3rd.
Streetsboro (0-1) travels to Norton to open up Metro Conference play Friday, December 2nd. The Rockets were led by sophomore Jackson Gula, who had six points.
