Hot start propels St. Edward to win, 2-0 start

A hot start propelled St. Edward's boys basketball team to its second straight win to start the season Tuesday.

The Green Wave made its first 5 shots while opening a 13-point first-quarter lead, then held on to defeat Elgin Academy, 66-54.

Mike Ellis had 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, and Zack Von Ahnen added 15 points and 9 rebounds to lead St. Edward in the Westminster Christian Thanksgiving Tournament.

D.J. Byrnes (13 points) drilled a pair of 3-pointers and Ellis also had one during St. Edward's opening salvo. The Green Wave threatened to blow the game open several times, but could never shake the Hilltoppers, who got 18 points from Connor Flexman and 17 from Patrick Martinak.

"They just came out of the gates and nailed three 3s in a row, got that nice 10, 11 point lead and just rode it out," said Elgin Academy coach David Vogt. "It's tough to come back when the first three possessions of the game they nail a 3."

With the Hilltoppers dressing just 6 players, the Wave tried to take advantage by pushing the ball upcourt at every opportunity. But the Wave was able to slow the tempo when necessary.

"I was just taking what the defense gave me," said Ellis. "I was starting off trying to get my team involved because (Monday) I started off really rocky, so I wanted to get my team involved more. Look to score if it was there but if it wasn't, slow the game and play at our pace."

Although the Wave shot well, over 50 percent for the game, it still looked at times like the second game of the season.

"We probably had too many turnovers, I don't think we got to the foul line very much, and obviously we fouled them too much and they got to the foul line too much," said St. Edward coach Keith Chuipek. "But it's a reduction from (Monday)."

Nick Kerger came off the bench to score 9 points for St. Edward, while Cody Jeralds had 6 points and 8 rebounds.

Paul Leonardis scored 10 points for Elgin Academy (0-2).