Career Night for Bird Proves Too Much for Taconic
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Nolan Bird is known as a shooter, but it was his ability to score inside that made all of the difference in the Drury boys' basketball team's 59-40 win over Taconic on Monday night.The junior forward used all of his 6-foot-3 frame to pound the Braves down low, scoring eight baskets and going 13 of 14 from the free-throw line on his way to a game-high and career-high 29 points. Bird didn't need to make one 3-pointer the whole night to set his new career high in scoring and also added 13 rebounds and four assists in the win.
The victory improves the Blue Devils' season record to 8-7 and keeps them on track to qualify for a spot in the Division 2 Western Mass. tournament. Jack Racette's squad needs just one more win in its final three games to punch its ticket to the postseason.
Taconic (4-12) kept the game close throughout the first half, trailing just 21-20 at the break. The Drury offense heated up in the third quarter, however, outscoring the visitors 23-14 in the frame. The Devils' defense then sealed the win in the fourth quarter, holding the Braves to just six points in the final eight minutes of play.
Tyler Murphy scored 22 points to lead the way for Taconic. Senior forward Robert Jutras added 15 points, four rebounds and three assists for Drury, while classmate Slayter Aubin chipped in with five points, five boards, four assists and three steals.
The Blue Devils next host North Division rival Pittsfield at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.