HAYWARD, CA - Encinal put up a strong first-half effort against a vaunted Moreau Catholic team, but that only served as motivation for the Mariners in the second half, as they used a third quarter shutout to race past the Jets on Thursday night in non-league action, 71-38.
Moreau (4-1) led by eight at the end of one quarter, but Encinal (3-5) closed the gap with a strong second quarter, leaving the halftime score at 27-23, in a game where many expected the Mariners to cruise to victory. In the third quarter, however, Moreau turned up the defensive pressure, outscoring the Jets 22-0 in those eight minutes, and putting the game away.
Max Anderson led four Moreau players in double figures with his game-high 18 points, while Dallas Rider added 15 points. Amil Fields and June Poole added 10 points each.
The Mariners return to action on December 26, when they take on Pinnacle-Phoenix in the Rancho Mirage Holiday Classic, in Palm Springs. Moreau Catholic has won four straight since a season-opening loss to San Joaquin Memorial.
Encinal looks to bounce back on December 27, when the Jets take on Mission-SF.
