Second half stops Nitros

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE — It was a forgettable second half for the Glendale High boys' basketball team, which, without center David Yetenikyan, already had little margin for error.

Out with a knee injury, Yetenikyan still had an effect on the game on both ends of the court. The Nitros had to rely on outside shooting that wasn't there consistently. The Bearcats, on the other hand, dominated the glass, pulling down 42 rebounds and getting a vast majority of their points inside.

Playing in their third game of the La Cañada Holiday Classic, the Nitros still played well in a see-saw first half. The second half was a different story, as the team scored just 17 points, while opponent Bonita ran away with a 61-47 victory Friday afternoon at La Cañada High.

"Without David, we count on knocking shots down," Glendale Coach Steve Snodgress said. "When we went cold, their big guys started getting easy baskets."

Bonita's front court combined for 36 points and 28 rebounds against the smaller Nitros (2-4) squad.

Despite the size disadvantage, Glendale played to a tie after the first quarter and trailed by three going into halftime thanks to 13 for 32 shooting led by Bobby Casaburi's 10 points and Sevan Pogosyan's nine.

Casaburi's hustle play rewarded him with six first-half rebounds — three offensive, which led to six second-chance points. The senior forward shot five of nine from the field, but was contained in the second half with one field goal.

The first half was a 16-minute stretch that saw four lead changes with the biggest lead held by either team being six points.

The tightly contested game continued into the third quarter. Despite shooting four for 16, the Nitros held a 41-38 lead midway through the frame, but a 9-0 Bearcats (8-2) run to end the quarter helped them regain the lead that would not be relinquished this time.

Pogosyan scored seven of the first nine third-quarter points for Glendale.

Bonita's momentum carried over into the fourth quarter — one in which the Nitros gave up 10 of the first 12 points and finished with six points.

"We started missing shots, and giving up second-chance points," Snodgress said. "I bet 30 of their rebounds came on the offensive side."

Pogosyan led the Nitros with 16 points. Casaburi added 12.