Electric Atmosphere at St. Pius Leads to Lancers Win Over Hillsboro

(FESTUS) A jam-packed Ralph Boyer Gymnasium witnessed a 68-57 home victory for the St. Pius Lancers as they triumphed over the Hillsboro Hawks Friday night on AM 1400 KJFF.

St. Pius won the 1st quarter 21-11 behind a flurry of offensive rebounds from Riley Naeger. Riley continued his rebounding ways during this fastbreak moment early in the 2nd quarter.

At the break, it was St. Pius 29 and Hillsboro 23. In the 3rd, Josh Ruble came out firing on all cylinders for the Lancers.

The largest lead of the night for St. Pius was 16, coming in the 3rd. But then Ben Lampkins of the Hawks tried to help his team claw back into the game midway through the 4th.

St. Pius was able to weather the late charge by knocking down 12 of 17 free throws in the 4th. Lancers head coach Eric Lawrence says the team was able to maintain the same level of intensity from beginning to end.

Riley Naeger was our Applebee’s Bar and Grill of Farmington Player of the Game.

Naeger finished with 21 points and 7 offensive rebounds.

St. Pius improves to 6-3 and will enter next week’s Inaugural Suntrup Auto Grandview Christmas Tournament as the top seed, facing KIPP in the opening round. Hillsboro will play Herculaneum next Thursday in the 63rd Annual Bob Sechrest Park Hills Central Christmas Tournament as the 2-seed.

Full St. Pius HC Eric Lawrence Interview