Cellier's game-high 31 leads Toledo Christian in win over Cardinal Stritch

1/29/2013

Toledo Christian led Cardinal Stritch by as many as 19 points in the second quarter but the Eagles had to hold off a rally from the Cardinals as they won 65-55 tonight.

Senior guard Eric Cellier poured in a game-high 31 points, including 12 in the second quarter when Toledo Christian built the big lead.

The Cardinals cut it to three in the fourth quarter. But ultimately, Toledo Christian (13-1 overall) hit 13 of 14 free throws in the final quarter to outlast Stritch. The Eagles improved to 8-0 in the Toledo Area Athletic Conference. They have not lost since their season opener when they dropped a 44-41 decision to Lake.

Toledo Christian won its 13th consecutive game.

Cardinal Stritch (8-7, 5-3 TAAC) closed the second quarter with a 16-5 run as Joey Cousino tallied 11 of his 16 points. Cousino hit a 3 pointer at the halftime buzzer to make it 36-28.

Cardinal Stritch sophomore Austin Adams tallied 10 of his team-high 22 points in the fourth quarter. His two-handed dunk cut the deficit to five points with 3:50 left and moments later made it a four-point game with a putback.

But TC converted on seven of eight free throws over the final 2:31 to keep the Cardinals at bay. Cellier knocked down all eight of his foul shots in the fourth quarter.

Eagles senior Ben Ivan had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Adams finished with a game-high eight boards, while Brooks Gasser finished with 10 points for Cardinal Stritch.