Glendale Wears Down Alemany : Indians Unable to Keep Pace in Second Half With Only 2 Reserves

The rigors of playing consecutive games in a three-day holiday tournament had a wearing effect on Alemany and Glendale highs Wednesday in the Glendale tournament.

Alemany, which has only seven players, ran out of reserves to replace its weary starters. Glendale, which lost an emotional game to Loyola on Tuesday, was just plain exhausted.

Glendale won the third-place game, 56-51, but it probably would have preferred to have had the day off.

“We looked awful in the second half,” Alemany Coach Joe Anlauf said. “Their coach came up to me and said ‘This game won’t make anyone’s highlight film.’ ”

Glendale (7-2) outscored Alemany, 17-5, in the third quarter to overcome a seven-point halftime deficit and never trailed the rest of the game.

Alemany (4-4) made only 9 of 30 field-goal attempts in the second half; Glendale hit 11 of 20 shots in the same span.

“We failed to execute our half-court offense and our shot selection was poor,” Anlauf said. “We had guys that don’t know how to move without the ball. We go over it and over it in practice, but I guess we still have to drill it into their heads.”

Tim Fontenette led Alemany with 12 points. Jon Beauchemin had 11 before fouling out in the fourth quarter and center Brian Swanson added 10.

“I thought our team played with a lot of heart,” Alemany forward Tony Lopez said. “We’re going to surprise a few people.”

But the Indians didn’t surprise Glendale guard Jeff Safro, who scored a game-high 21 points. Safro made two free throws to give the Dynamiters the lead for good, 34-33, with 3:28 left in the third quarter.

Safro was Glendale’s best outside shooter, sinking four three-point shots.

But forward Dan Johnson was the key to Glendale’s comeback, scoring 13 of his 17 points in the second half.

Johnson took advantage of Alemany’s weak interior defense and scored four of his baskets in the key.

“I thought in the first half we shot the ball too quickly,” Glendale Coach Bob Davidson said. “The first half was embarrassing. They must have gotten every rebound. I told my players at halftime to go inside more.”

Alemany twice pulled to within four late in the fourth quarter. Beauchemin made two field goals to make the score, 50-46, with 2:15 left, then sank a three-pointer with five seconds left.

Glendale sealed the victory by scoring four of its last six points on free throws.