Sophomore power forward Coltrane Powdrill led the determined Golden Knights with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and was one of four St. Francis players to score in double figures.
“We got blitzed so bad last night, we thought this was an important game to come back,” St. Francis Coach John Jordan said.
Added junior guard Malik Speed, who scored 10 points: “We just wanted to come out today and show our identity, show who we really were.”
St. Francis (2-1) showed patience during the first half, which ended with Marshall (2-3) holding a 27-26 lead.
During the third quarter, the Golden Knights got an opportunity to turn the tide and they took advantage.
An 11-3 St. Francis run pulled the Eagles’ biggest lead of the night, 33-29, right out from under them and allowed the Golden Knights to take a five point lead into the fourth quarter.
“We had some good defense [during that run],” Jordan said. “We got some steals and some easy baskets, which we always try to do.
“[In the fourth quarter] we handled the ball well, handled their pressure, made some shots and made some free throws down the stretch too.”
Defensively, St. Francis abandoned the press and succeeded in containing the Eagles with an effective half court scheme.
Forcing turnovers in the half court set allowed the Golden Knights to run the floor and get some transition baskets of their own.
But, by slowing the game down, St. Francis was also able to wear down Marshall as the second half unfolded.
“We play our best on the defensive end, that’s the only way to win games,” said senior guard John Aranda, who finished with 11 points. “We know with our pressure, they’re not going to be tired in the first half. They’re going to get tired out toward the end of the game, and that’s what happened tonight.”
Al Ortega added six points and nine rebounds and Steve Vargas scored 11 points for St. Francis.
GABRIEL RIZK covers sports. He can be reached at (818) 637-3226 or at gabriel.rizk@latimes.com.
