Amherst rebounds with home league win
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Amherst Central shrugged off a 61-48 non-league home loss against Clarence last Wednesday with a 61-49 home win over Iroquois on Friday.

Amherst did not shoot well in either game, hitting 27 percent in the first half against Clarence and 26 percent overall versus Iroquois.

What saved the Tigers against the Chiefs was free throws. Amherst made 20-of-29 attempts, including 9-of-13 in the fourth quarter. Iroquois was 2-of-17.

Amherst led Iroquois, 13-11, after the first quarter and, 30-21, at halftime but only scored a field goal and two free throws in the third quarter for a 37-35 advantage. Amherst bounced back in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Chiefs, 24-14. Cordell Freeman scored 11 in the fourth, including 3-of-4 free throws. He was 8-of-10 from the line overall. Freeman finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Andre Hakeem (11 points, made 6-of-7 free throws, 4-of-4 free throws in fourth) and Chris France (seven points) also chipped in for Amherst. Kurt Ebsary added five crucial fourth quarter points, including a clutch three-pointer to extend the Tigers' lead to 50-44.

Clarence jumped out to a 20-5 first quarter lead and did not look back, extending it to 30-12 by halftime. Clarence held Amherst to 5-of-18 shooting in the first half.

Amherst rebounded in the second half, outscoring the Red Devils, 35-31.

"I think definitely not playing over the break hurt us," said Amherst coach Mike Chatelle.

Freeman led the Tigers with 27 points. France added nine points. Viron Hale added four points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.

Clarence was also more aggressive to the basket, making 19-of-24 free throws to Amherst's 4-of-9.

Amherst (4-4, 2-1) played at Hamburg Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. They travel to Lake Shore at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

"We just have to create chances to score whether its at the foul line or off of defensive pressure until we get our shooting where we want it," said Chatelle.