by Canton, Ohio – The Louisville Leopards defeated Glenville, 90-86, in overtime to advance to their first regional final in school history.
Louisville led 21-17 after the end of the first quarter, as both teams traded baskets back and forth. Of the Leopards’ 21, Will Aljancic scored six, and Tyler Boldon had seven, for a total of 13.
Savontae Quarles had six points in the first quarter for Glenville, who was making their first regional appearance since 2007.
In the second quarter, Louisville outscored Glenville, 16-7, to take a 37-24 lead at the half. Will Aljancic had 10 of the team’s 16 points in the quarter and 16 in the half.
The Leopards led by as much as 49-35 with 2:55 left in the third before Glenville started to make their comeback.
Tavarion Sanders, who had a quiet first half, scoring just two points, had ten in the third quarter, and did most of his damage in the paint. The Tarblooders would cut their deficit to 52-44 going into the final quarter of play.
Louisville would increase their lead to 65-55 with 3:54 to play, looking to pull away. Will Aljancic had ten in the quarter and knocked down timely buckets for the Leopards. Hayden Nigro had seven points and knocked down one of only two triples in the second half.
However, Glenville continued to claw back into the game, thanks to the efforts of Tavarion Sanders.
Sanders had 12 points in the fourth quarter and knocked down clutch free throws to put the Tarblooders back in contention.
Down 74-69, the Tarblooders got a triple from Cashawn Beard to cut their deficit to two. After a steal and a layup from Damarion Oliver, the game was tied.
Louisville had a chance to win it at the end of regulation, but their shot was no good, forcing overtime.
In the overtime period, Will Aljancic put the Leopards ahead with another pair of big-time buckets. Tavarion Sanders ended up fouling out for Glenville midway through the overtime period, a huge loss for the Tarblooders.
Despite Glenville’s best efforts, Louisville managed to close things out at the line, with clutch free throws from Hayden Nigro, Beau Siegfried, and Will Aljancic. Nigro’s two free throws iced the game with :07.6 remaining in the overtime period.
Louisville (20-6) advances to play St. Vincent-St. Mary’s. The Fighting Irish won their semifinal against Youngstown Chaney earlier in the evening.
Glenville ends their season at 12-9. The Tarblooders had four players in double figures, led by senior forward Tavarion Sanders, who had 25 points. Senior guard Savontae Quarles chipped in 23. Cashawn Beard had 15, and Damarion Oliver had 12.
