Riegel, Monument Mountain Hand Drury Boys First Loss

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — David Riegel Wednesday led the Monument Mountain boys basketball team past the previously undefeated Drury Blue Devils, 73-60, in a high scoring thriller. 

 

Riegel was hot from downtown scoring 15 of his 21 points behind the arc. 

 

Graham Herrick had 15, while Daniel Newey chipped in with nine for the Spartans (5-4)

 

For Drury (8-1), Hayden Bird had 20 points and Reece Racette added 14. 

 

This was a very physical game, forcing both teams to go to their benches early. Reece Racette of Drury and Conor Prince of Monument each picked up two quick fouls as both of these teams were looking to settle into the game. Drury managed to secure a 12-10 lead at the end of the first. Monument took control of the game at the start of the second quarter getting out to a six point lead. Drury’s high pressure was able to turn Monument over late in the quarter to lock these two teams up at 28 apiece going into the break. 

 

Second half action would see Monument Mountain go on a nice run fueled by plenty of offensive rebounds and a few big 3-pointers by Riegel. The Spartans jumped out to a comfortable lead, outscoring Drury 21-13 in the third. 

 

“We made a commitment that we have to get as many rebounds as they do,” Monument Mountain coach Mike Saporito said. “The guys carried themselves well and physical they executed in a hostile environment. Luckily we were able to hang in and play tough for the full 32 minutes. That’s something we struggled with but are doing a better job with.” 

 

Drury was able to gain some ground in the fourth quarter with not only full court pressure but man-to-man defense in the half court. It was able to cut the lead to six with three consecutive steals and baskets. Monument used its timeouts to settle the game down and was able to withstand the late Drury push opening the game back up to double digits. 

 

“We knew we weren’t going to walk away with it,” Saporito said. “Bird is a great shooter, Racette is an incredible player and Meehan never gets tired and shoots the ball well, we had to weather that storm and gain our composure.”

 

This was Drury’s first loss of the season and Monument Mountains second consecutive win over unbeaten teams. They beat Wahconah in their previous game. 

 

Monument will host Bennington, Vt.’s, Mount Anthony Friday night, While Drury will look to regroup against Greenfield at home over the weekend.