IAC BOYS BASKETBALL: NEWARK VALLEY RIDES 3-BALLS, DEFENSE TO VICTORY (2023-01-21)

Tioga County Sports Report
TRUMANSBURG — Newark Valley posted a pair of 21-point quarters, but late long-range shooting and solid defense helped the Cardinals work a 69-63 victory in IAC boys basketball action Friday.

“The boys did a very good job attacking Trumansburg’s defense with composure,” NV coach Scott Stratton said. “We were patient and organized, and that resulted in good possessions and good looks at the basket.”

NV outscored the Blue Raiders, 17-10, in the final frame.

“When the game was on the line late in the game we defended really tough, rebounded, tipped and stole passes, and stayed patient offensively to get the most out of our possessions,” Stratton said.

The Cardinals grabbed an early 21-18 lead behind Dan Truesdail’s 12 first-quarter points, but the game was knotted at 31 at the break.

T-burg edged NV, 22-21, in a high-scoring third quarter in which Joe Rombach’s trio of 3-pointers kept the game close.

“(Nik) Nelson was the guy keeping them in the game early in the second half, but the boys did a very good job of limiting him in the fourth quarter,” Stratton said. “We really clamped down on him and gave him little room to move.”

Nelson, who led all scorers with 24 points, had just one in the final stanza.

Meanwhile, NV had three players finish with double figures.

Truesdail led the trio with 20 points, Pirger scored 19 and Rombach had 17. Rombach ended the game with five 3-balls while Pirger contributed a trio of treys.

Jaden Short added six points, Troy Middendorf scored four and Landon Spoonhower added three.

Newark Valley (6-7) hosts McGraw (8-3) out of Section III Tuesday.

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IN PHOTO: NV’s Joe Rombach. ... TCSR STOCK PHOTO BY DAVID ALLIGER — TRAVELING PORTRAITS.