GATLINBURG, TENN. — For three quarters, Tony Pietrowski’s Corbin Redhounds were playing catch-up, that is until the fourth quarter.
Corbin caught fire, and used a 9-0 run in the game’s final eight minutes to take charge and defeat the University School of Nashville, 66-54, to finish 2-1 in the Smoky Mountain Classic.
“A tale of two halves for our team,” Pietrowski said. “Effort level wasn’t great and shots weren’t falling. We completely changed our effort level and instantly started to see improvements.
“Eli and Ryder stepped up for us,” he added. “I want to give accolades to Zach Reynolds. He didn’t show up huge in the stat line but really helped us win with his defense on the big kid and his presence on the glass. Excited to have the Cumberland Falls next week.”
The Redhounds trailed 16-9 in the first quarter, and 29-21 at halftime before making their move in the second half.
Pietrowskis squad outscored the University School of Nashville, 21-14, in the third quarter while cutting their deficit to one point (43-42) entering the fourth quarter.
Corbin hit 9-of-12 free throw attempts in the final eight minutes while Ryder Akins scored eight points and Eli Pietrowski added five points during the period.
Akins led the Redhounds with 21 points while Eli Pietrowski added 14 points. Connor Middleton finished with 11 points.
