COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There was a packed house inside Dick Geyer Gymnasium for this CCL rivalry, and the fans got their money’s worth as visiting DeSales was able to hang on down the stretch and defeat Bishop Hartley 50-47, improving to 5-0 on the year..

DeSales jumped out to an early 21-7 lead, due in large part to starting the second quarter on an 8-0 run. They were giving the Hawks a lot of problems with their full court pressure. Hartley did not fold however, closing the quarter on an 11-0 run, making it clear that they were here to play.

Hartley was able to stay in the game right down to the final seconds, and after a huge steal late in the game from Morgan Safford, he had one final look to tie the game. Safford’s final attempt fell off the mark, and DeSales made their free throws down the stretch to seal the game in the closing moments. The final margin would end up at three after a late Hawks three as time expired.

Anthony Sciarroni (6’1 WG / DeSales / 2019): A much improved ball handler from our last viewing of him where he was featured as more of post, Sciarroni’s best attribute is his shooting from the perimeter. The senior got things going for DeSales early with a quick seven points in the first quarter, and was in attack mode all night, knocking down three three-pointers, and getting to rim aggressively. Sciarroni led all DeSales scorers with 16 points on the night.

Morgan Safford (6’3 WG / Bishop Hartley / 2019): Morgan Safford continues to be a bonafide bucket-getter. The star senior has consistently showed the ability to get his own shot at all three levels, and yet again he put his team on his back scoring a game high 21 points, while pulling down five rebounds  Safford is still a kid that is trying to find his level, as low-major D1s along with high-level D2s will be all over his game as the season progresses.

Kayin Derden (6’2 CG / DeSales / 2019): The senior just has a knack for scoring, and although he had a slow first half that saw him only score two points, Derden chipped in with 10 big second-half points. Kayin is a good three-point shooter who is able to get his own shot off the dribble and can heat up in a hurry.

Payton Collins (6’8 C / Bishop Hartley / 2019): Missing the whole first half after picking up two fouls early, Collins was huge down the stretch for the Hawks. The big bodied Eastern Kentucky football commit dominated the interior turning in a double on the cut line, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double in a little more than one half of action.