Yavneh defeated Red River Christian 84-74 Saturday night. The win improves the Bulldogs record to 21-5.
Sam Kleinman’s triple-double and Itai Guttman’s double-double were just enough to separate Yavneh in a roller-coaster game of runs Saturday evening. The Bulldogs once again started fast and looked for all the world to be on their way to another blowout runaway victory less than a minute into the game. A dramatic 8-0 beginning in just 54 seconds hit Red River right in the gut. Kleinman drilled a three pointer, found Itai Guttman in the lane, and then Adam Schor completed a three point play all in less than a minute to begin the game. Almost as quickly, though, Red River turned the tables with a 9-0 response over the next 1:54. That spurt came courtesy of Yavneh turnovers which became easy baskets at the other end. Three straight giveaways at half-court accounted for nearly the entire run. The opening period was like a heavyweight title fight with the teams exchanging blows. Red River nailed a deep three pointer only to watch Adam Karnett bank in a fall-away triple on the next possession. Red River would make another major push to end the first eight minutes. Even with a Kleinman steal and a layup to beat the buzzer, Red River held a 25-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. Their 25-8 explosion was a product of turning the Bulldogs over and connecting on long distance shots. Karnett found Schor to start the second period but another 8-2 Red River spurt dug an even deeper hole for the home team. Kleinman responded with a personal 5-0 run through a steal and a pair of clutch assists. The pace was exactly as fast as Yavneh wanted it and Red River was starting to get tired. Trailing 39-29 with 2:07 left before halftime, the Bulldogs were in position to make a big run against a worn down opponent. As the pace continued to be frenetic, the chaos led to several transition baskets. Adam Karnett’s off balance spin cycle assist to Itai Guttman himself falling towards the basket for a three point play trimmed the deficit to 39-36 with 39.7 seconds left. Senior Josh Lynn then beat the halftime buzzer off a nice pick and pop play to even the game for the break at 39-39. Not only was the game tied but shooting was dead even as well at 41% apiece. All things considered, Yavneh was thrilled not to be down at the half having been out-rebounded by 8 including 12 offensive rebounds and having given the ball away 9 times (almost all for points). The momentum carried over for the Bulldogs as Kleinman found Itai Guttman on a nifty out of bounds play to deliver the first lead since 8-7. In fact, Yavneh scored the first six points of the second half in a hurry courtesy of a Karnett spinning layup and a pair of free throws off a steal by David Rudomin. All the breaks were starting to go the way of the Bulldogs. Itai Guttman walked into a tip-in off an air-ball triple attempt and the lead had ballooned to 50-42. Red River fought back once again, this time behind an absurd string of offensive rebounds. Another 9-0 Red River string in 2:31 included a three pointer and then three straight second-chance possessions. Yavneh simply could not grab a rebound during that third quarter. Trailing again, they turned to the pressure defense for a 7-2 stretch. Rudomin found Schor at the basket, Kleinman gobbled up two more steals, and then Jason Epstein found a birthday present along the sideline that led to a free throw. The Bulldogs 4 point lead lasted all of about 40 seconds but free throws started to become a strong ally to the home team for the rest of the contest. Over the next three minutes in the time that bridged the third and fourth periods, Yavneh took control of the game in two key areas. With Red River in deep foul trouble and well into the double bonus by the end of the third quarter, the Bulldogs were getting free throw after free throw opportunity and they were cashing in. Also, for the first time all night, Red River was too tired to chase down the offensive rebounds. Led by Itai Guttman, Yavneh corralled just about every RR miss in the final period and were holding the visitors to one shot per possession at long last. The rebounding, however, was not Guttman’s biggest feat in the final quarter. He connected on 6/7 pressure free throws down the stretch and was in position for multiple follow opportunities at the rim. With almost every possession resulting in free throws, the Bulldogs eventually built an 11-point lead and Red River was just too tired to make a final push. Itai Guttman completed his night with an unbelievable 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead all scorers and re-bounders. Sam Kleinman was equally impressive with his 16 point, 10 assist, and 10 steal triple-double. While Kleinman continues to build on his school-record assist total for the season, it was the point production that made it so tough to guard the Bulldogs on this night. Adam Karnett’s 22 points came mostly from the free throw line where he connected on 11/15. Josh Lynn’s timely baskets and David Rudomin’s great defensive effort also played a huge part in the victory. Junior Adam Steinbrecher also delivered a monster three point goal during the key comeback run in the second quarter and provided valuable minutes with the two posts in serious foul trouble for much of the second half. 5/19 three point shooting, 17 turnovers, and 18 offensive rebounds allowed nearly did in the Bulldogs but the pressure defense, pace, and some superhuman individual efforts kept the train rolling. The 25 made free throws on 36 attempts did not hurt the cause either as the final period turned into a free throw practice drill.
Yavneh (21-5) will have just one day of rest before they enter a challenging three game week. It all starts with a trip to Poetry, Texas Monday. Poetry Christian battled the Bulldogs deep into the second half a year ago in nearly shocking the world. Once again the game will provide a challenging environment with rowdy fans and hometown referees in a land far, far away from the Dallas mainland.
The Kennel Report, now in its ninth season, is written by…
Zack Pollack M&M
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