Michael Santicola caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 11 of his game-high 26 points to help Moon Area break open a tight game on the way to a 59-44 win over host Bishop Canevin Monday night in a WPIAL boys basketball matchup.
Santicola was a factor in the first half as well, scoring nine points in the first two quarters as the Tigers built a narrow 25-24 lead.
Bishop Canevin’s Jackson Maddix did his best to keep the Crusaders close, as he netted 11 first-half points, including eight in the second quarter as Bishop Canevin outscored the visitors 17-12 to cut Moon’s lead to one at intermission.
But Santicola came out hot in the third quarter, and he was aided by the play of Caleb Waclawski, who contributed seven points in the quarter as the Tigers outscored the Crusaders 22-8 to extend their lead to 47-32 going into the final eight minutes.
Waclawski finished with 15 points for the Tigers, who improved to 6-2 overall.
Bishop Canevin coach Aaron McGee said that third quarter proved to be his team’s undoing.
“Moon picked up their pressure,” he said. “We made some poor decisions and let them get away with it.”
Moon coach Gino Palmosina credited his defense with turning things around in the third quarter and said it was reminiscent of the Tigers’ effort in Sunday’s 46-29 victory over South Fayette in the Pittsburgh Holiday Hoops Classic.
“It was the same thing as (Sunday) night — we got a few stops,” he said.
Maddix wound up with 18 points for Bishop Canevin, which fell to 2-6, and Drew Allen finished with 13.
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