NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- McCann Tech junior Darius Tovani hit just one field goal in Monday’s season opener in the Hornets Nest.
But what a field goal.
Tovani drilled a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to stem a 4-0 Lenox run, re-establish an eight-point Hornets lead and send McCann Tech on to a 61-48 win.
Tovani’s triple sparked a 12-2 run that gave the hosts a 56-41 lead midway through the quarter.
“Darius Tovan stepped up huge with that 3-pointer,” McCann Tech coach Chris Bullett said. “That really set the tone.”
Bruce Davis scored 16 points to lead three Hornets in double figures, and Jeremy Beany pulled down 17 rebounds.
Rebounding was a big factor in the win. McCann Tech finished with a 63-42 edge in that department as Davis grabbed 12 boards, and Logan Davis and Lucas Jamros had nine and eight apiece.
“We’re an undersized team, but we’re filled with guys with heart, and we’re going to rebound like that all year,” Bullett said.
Jett Steinman grabbed 15 rebounds for Lenox (0-2), which got 15 points from Shane Steinman and 13 from Luke Patella.
“[Rebounding] is something we’ll be working on in practice when we come back tomorrow,” Lenox coach Brian Cogswell said. “We’ve had a little over a week together, and there are little things we need to work on. And that box-out, rebound stuff is at the top of the list.”
Keeghan Vidal put back an offensive rebound midway through the second quarter to start a 9-5 run to the end of the half that gave McCann Tech a 27-21 cushion in the locker room.
But Lenox answered early in the third with an 8-0 spurt that saw Jett Steinman dive to the floor for a loose ball, set up Shane Steinman for a 3-pointer and assist on a Nick Nicotra bucket. Jett Steinman then hit a free throw to cap the run and make it 31-29 with 4 minutes, 28 seconds left in the third.
McCann Tech scored 10 of the next 12 points, a run that saw Logan Davis set up Sean Sumner for 3 and hit a bucket of his own.
It was a nine-point margin after the third quarter, but Shane Steinman opened the fourth with a basket, and Andre Collins scored in transition after a John Fielding blocked shot at the other end to get Lenox within five, 44-39.
But Darius Tovani hit his 3-pointer on the next trip, and the Hornets never looked back.
McCann Tech weathered the Millionaires’ runs in the second half largely with starting point guard Vidal on the bench with foul trouble.
“Once he got that fourth foul, I was worried, but we have guys who can step up,” Bullett said. “Bruce Davis can handle the ball a little bit. So it worked out a little bit.”
McCannTech is off unil Dec. 20, when it hosts Smith Voc.
Lenox is home on Thursday against Turners Falls.
The Millionaires will get another shot at the Hornets, this time in Lenox, on Jan. 2.
