Warriors split in hoops action

The Mercy varsity boys basketball team split their games early this week, hosting Westwood on Monday for a 60-51 triumph and falling to University Prep Tuesday, 46-42.

"Everyone, all 11 of them, are contributing to our success," Warriors coach Steve Shellabarger said. "We are playing some good basketball — playing like a team, sharing the ball on offense and helping each other on defense."

Mitch Lopez burned up the nets with 17 points to carry the Warrior torch versus Westwood. Ali Syed scored 14 points and Jeremie Jones notched a big double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Cameron Vietti also scored nine points with three steals and three assists, Aaron Gash blocked a shot on defense and Ryan Ward chipped in five points.

Mercy entered the fourth quarter of the U-Prep game ahead by one, but couldn't hang on in the revenge match-up.

Mercy thwarted the Panthers on their own hardwood last week, but U-Prep came through in the clutch to dethrone Mercy.

"We ran out of gas — too many minutes and not enough rest," Shellabarger said.

Vietti scored a team-leading 15 points with six rebounds, two assists and three steals, while Jones racked up 13 points and seven boards.

The Warriors' final lead vanished with nine seconds remaining, as U-Prep nailed the go-ahead 3-pointer from 22 feet after missing the first look at the basket. Then the Warriors' coast-to-coast pass was picked off, and turned into another score at the buzzer.

Mercy (1-1 TCL, 11-8) ventured to Liberty Christian on Friday hoping to bounce back quickly, and the Warriors host Redding Christian on Tuesday.