Buchtel vs. Gilmour boys basketball: Griffins' rebounding helps them pull away from Lancers in 71-55 win
Mar. 11—CANTON — Gilmour battled back from another slow start this postseason and made it a two-possession game against Buchtel in their Division II regional final on March 11. It stayed that way for much of the second quarter as well, but then a 13-4 run put the Griffins ahead.
Large deficits haven't stopped the Lancers this postseason but this one proved to be too much to overcome as Gilmour fell 71-55 to end their postseason run.
Buchtel advanced to the state semifinals in Dayton and will play the winner of Bishop Ready and Fairfield Union on March 17 at 2 p.m.
PHOTOS: Gilmour vs. Buchtel boys basketball, March 11, 2023
The game started in favor of the Griffins with a 10-0 run at the start of the first quarter. But after a timeout, Gilmour trimmed it to a four-point deficit.
But that was as close as the Lancers could cut it. Buchtel held them to 13 points the rest of the first half as they made it a 14-point lead at the half.
The Griffins' attack was led by Marcel Boyce in the first half as his work inside and out as he finished with 29 points, 19 of which came in the first half. Even though Boyce was the only player in double figures, the Griffins saw several key players make an impact.
Kohi Thurmon had a strong showing in the ball-handling department as he finished with five assists. Diairre Pride had a pair of big 3-pointers that helped Buchtel pull away.
The Griffins also controlled the boards throughout the game as they out-rebounded the Lancers, 27-17. The second- and third-chance looks allowed for the Griffins to control the pace of the game.
Gilmour sees the end of the careers of three-year starters Adisa Molton, Brandon Rose and Dorjan Flowers. The trio had led the Lancers to three straight regional finals and a state runner-up finish a season ago.
Rose led the way for Gilmour with 21 points while Molton added 18. The fourth senior for Gilmour, Jackson Wahl hit a three late in the fourth quarter to end his Lancer career.
