Galion erases second-half deficit to topple Redskins

WILLARD – Galion forced 11 turnovers in the fourth quarter to help erase a double-digit third quarter deficit in a 53-45 victory over Port Clinton in a Division II sectional matchup Tuesday.

"We got after it with ball pressure and did whatever we could to get our hands on it," Tigers guard Jordan Valentine said.

Galion (10-13) plays second-seed Sandusky at 6:15 p.m. Friday at Willard.

The Tigers trailed 40-29 in the third quarter before outscoring the Redskins (9-14) 24-5 to finish the game.

"It was pretty ugly for a while," Galion coach Ed Rich said. "They took it to us down low. I put a small lineup in there and made them handle the ball."

Galion remained confident in the second half.

"Don't get too down and keep attacking," Coy Vantilburg said of the mentality. "It's not over and make plays. Keep our heads."

Vantilburg canned four 3-pointers in the first half, including three in the first quarter but the Tigers trailed 30-25 entering the third quarter.

"I get in a rhythm," he said. "After the first one it's like the hoop is wide open. The more I make the bigger the hoop is."

Valentine scored eight of his 13 points after Port Clinton established the 11-point advantage. Vantilburg finished with 16 points while Colton Moore added 11.

Post Drew Fodor scored a game-high 17 for the Redskins.

"When we got the ball to our bigs we had a lot of success," Port Clinton coach Von Graffin said. "When we turn the ball over, (Fodor) doesn't get touches."

mhorn@gannett.com

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