PALO ALTO, CA - Visiting Salesian got hot in the third quarter from beyond the arc, quickly erasing an eight-point halftime deficit, and eventually pulling away for the 65-57 win over host Palo Alto.
James Akinjo and Josh Jefferson were the primary culprits for the Pride, as they combined for five three-pointers in the third quarter. Akinjo, who had 12 points in the first half, scored nine in the third and finished with a game-high 23 points for the night. Jefferson added 14 points for Salesian, while Jovon McClanahan rounded out the scorers in double figures with 12 points.
Salesian outscored Palo Alto 25-11 in the third quarter, flipping the script on what had been a hot first half for the Vikings. Spencer Rojahn finished the game with 20 points for Paly, hitting six three-pointers, but 14 of his points came in the first half. That included a blistering second quarter, when Rojahn drilled four three-pointers.
Max Dorward played a strong all-around game in the loss for the Vikings, scoring 18 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds.
Salesian improved to 5-0 with the win, while Palo Alto fell to 2-2 with its second straight loss. The Vikings look to bounce back on December 23, when they host Carlmont, while Salesian heads to Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic, opening with national power Morgan Park-Chicago on December 20.
