Second-Half Surge Lifts Lawrence Tech Past Siena Heights, 63-58

Lawrence Tech used a dominant second half and clutch late-game execution to rally past Siena Heights, 63-58, on Wednesday night in Adrian, Mich. Trailing by eight at halftime, the Blue Devils outscored the Saints 41-28 after the break, with Davin Walker’s free throw in the final seconds providing the final margin.

Siena Heights controlled much of the first half, opening with an early 3-pointer from Jack Olis and taking a 30-22 advantage into the locker room. The Saints capped the half when Jonas Tester buried a jumper at the buzzer, completing a strong first 20 minutes in which the hosts held Lawrence Tech to 22 points and kept them off balance offensively.

Lawrence Tech quickly flipped the momentum to start the second half. Damian Thompson drilled a 3-pointer less than a minute in to cut into the deficit, and Walker followed with a 3-pointer off a Thompson assist to keep the Blue Devils within striking distance. As Lawrence Tech tightened up defensively and controlled the glass, the offense began to find a rhythm from the perimeter and in transition.

The Blue Devils’ surge continued midway through the second half when Lake McIntosh connected from beyond the arc to pull Lawrence Tech within 45-44. From there, Lawrence Tech steadily took control. Inside of four minutes to play, Vuk Zarubica’s layup pushed the lead to 60-51, capping a sustained run that turned what had been a two-possession deficit into a nine-point advantage. Siena Heights mounted a late push, but Walker’s free throw with four seconds left made it 63-58, and the ensuing missed attempt and rebound sealed the comeback victory.

Walker led Lawrence Tech with 18 points, including three 3-pointers, while adding five rebounds and three steals in 37 minutes. Alberto Morati provided crucial scoring and rebounding in the frontcourt, finishing with 14 points and six boards in 24 minutes, and Thompson chipped in eight points, five rebounds and two 3-pointers while playing 35 minutes. The Blue Devils shot 44.2% from the field (23-for-52), including 8-for-23 (34.8%) from 3-point range, and converted 81.8% at the free-throw line (9-for-11.

On the other side, Siena Heights was powered by its backcourt duo. Olis scored a team-high 22 points with seven rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes, attacking the rim and getting to the line, where he knocked down six free throws. Tester added 19 points and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes. The Saints shot 40.4% from the floor (21-for-52) and 33.3% from deep (6-for-18), but were out-rebounded 37-25, including 8-2 on the offensive glass, which limited their second-chance opportunities as Lawrence Tech made its second-half push.

Lawrence Tech’s ability to control the boards and deliver timely perimeter shooting in the second half proved decisive in erasing the halftime deficit. With the road win, the Blue Devils showed resilience in closing out a tight contest, leaning on balanced scoring and key defensive stops down the stretch to finish off the 63-58 result.