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Falcons Surge Past PHU For First Win

FALCONS 64, HURRICANES 54

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: December 10, 2008

DUNEDIN - Clutch shooting from Ben Patrick in the third quarter and hard-nosed rebounding from Ian Murray down the stretch helped Dunedin to its first victory of the season by beating Class 5A-District 9 rival Palm Harbor University 64-54 Tuesday night.

Eleven of Patrick's team-high 21 points came in the third period as the Falcons grabbed a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.

Despite shooting only 36.2 percent from the field as a team, Dunedin relied heavily on a suffocating press that forced many of PHU's 22 turnovers and attempts from beyond the arc. The Falcons hit eight 3-pointers throughout the night, including all four of their buckets in the first quarter.

Dunedin (1-3) also out-rebounded the Hurricanes 35-33, led by Murray's 12 boards. Three of those 12 were put-backs on the offensive end, helping Murray finish with 10 points and a double-double.

"I didn't shoot that great, but I was getting rebounds," Murray said afterward. "But our defense was real good. The press was working well."

PHU forward Tyler Stevenson finished as the game's top performer, scoring 23 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. His presence inside and ability to get to the hoop allowed the Hurricanes to go into halftime ahead 32-29, but Dunedin's persistent, second-half attack on defense was ultimately too much to overcome.

The Falcons went ahead for good when Patrick hit a 3-pointer midway through the third period to make the score 39-36 Dunedin. PHU answered with a field goal to get within one, but Patrick quickly answered back with a runner in the lane.

An 8-0 Falcons run that ended with 3:15 left to play and Dunedin ahead 58-48 sealed the victory.

Dunedin guard T.J. Melendez (10 points) was the third Falcon to score in double figures. Emmitt Emery, playing his first game with the team, added 9 points and three rebounds.

The Falcons hit the hardwood again Wednesday night, traveling to Gibbs High. PHU (2-3) stays on the road to play Countryside High on the same evening.

SCORING

PALM HARBOR--- 10 --- 22 --- 10 --- 11 - 54
DUNEDIN---- 12 --- 17 --- 16 --- 19 - 64

TOP PERFORMERS

PALM HARBOR:

Tyler Stevenson - 23 points, 18 rebounds
Kyle Kinnear - 12 points, 1 rebound
Mike McNeely - 6 points, 2 rebounds
Danny Menken - 4 points, 6 rebounds

DUNEDIN:

Ben Patrick - 21 points, 2 rebounds
Ian Murray - 10 points, 12 rebounds
T.J. Melendez - 10 points, 2 rebounds
Emmitt Emery - 9 points, 3 rebounds
Brant Flowers - 5 points, 6 rebounds

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com

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