Holy Cross Shows Kentucky’s Dominance in 66-44 Rout of Taylor
CINCINNATI, OH — In the first-ever matchup between these two teams, the nightcap of Saturday’s action included Holy Cross defeating Taylor thanks to strong second and fourth quarters.
Holy Cross cobbled together an impressive start to the game, going on a 7-3 scoring run with 5:28 left in the first quarter. After the teams traded baskets, Noah Wentz made two shots for five points to give Taylor its first lead of the night at 13-12. The Indians’ Luke Arlinghaus drained a two-point try as the clock expired to change the lead once more and give Holy Cross a 16-13 advantage entering the second frame.
In the second quarter, the Indians built on their lead via two impressive scoring runs. The first came with 3:35 to go in the half, as Holy Cross outscored Taylor 7-0 courtesy of two Luke Arlinghaus buckets to make it a 25-15 ballgame. With 1:34 remaining, the Indians went on a 6-0 run, with twos from Max Hunt, Arlinghaus, and Braylon Thornberry to enter halftime with a 33-21 lead. Noah Wentz led the Yellowjackets in scoring for the first half, totaling 12 points.
The third quarter saw both teams make an impact on the scoreboard, but neither team could break away with all of the momentum. Holy Cross went on a 9-2 scoring run, including four points by Arlinghaus, with 3:08 left in the quarter to extend the lead to 16 at 40-24. The Yellowjackets answered late in the frame with a 5-0 run of their own with 1:11 remaining, all of which came from the foul line. Still, the Indians entered the fourth quarter with the lead, 51-36.
After a quick basket by the Yellowjackets, the fourth quarter belonged to Holy Cross. The Indians went on a 13-0 scoring run with 3:28 left in the game to put the game out of reach at 64-38. Arlinghaus and Nate Rominger totaled six and four points, respectively, during the run. Holy Cross closed out its victory with the final score 66-44.
Holy Cross (10-0, 0-0 District 35) will have little time to reflect on its win; the Indians will be back in action December 28-30 in the Swauger Holiday Classic at Bellevue High School. Meanwhile, Taylor (3-4, 2-1 CHL) will look ahead to Friday, January 2, when the Yellowjackets travel to Indian Hill in Cincinnati Hills League play.
