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Sports

Staples Boys Basketball Turns Back Fairfield Ludlowe

Gabe Seidman and Jake Felman each scored 17 points for Wreckers in 54-42 win over the Falcons

Gabe Seidman and Jake Felman each scored 17 points Monday as the Staples boys basketball team held off Fairfield Ludlowe 54-42 in a defensive struggle in Fairfield.

Luke Yeager added 10 points for the Wreckers, who rebounded from an 80-70 loss against St. Joseph to win for the ninth time in their last 10 games. Staples (13-4, 14-5)  will be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the FCIAC playoffs, which begin this weekend.

The loss officially eliminated Ludlowe (9-8, 9-10) from the league playoffs.

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Senior Erik Krumins led the Falcons with 10 points while Justin Bernadino and David Kinsley combined for 14.

“Give them credit," Staples coach Colin Devine said. "They forced us to do things we’re not use to doing. Give credit to this team for keeping its composure and really grinding one out when we needed to.”

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Staples started the game aggressively, double-teaming the Falcons'  ballhandlers, which caused turnovers and quick shots. The Wreckers jumped out to a 17-6 lead, holding Ludlowe  to 3-of-12 shooting from the field in the first quarter.

The Falcons held Staples scoreless for the first 3:20 of the second period, but the Wreckers still finished the half with a comfortable 31-16 cushion.

“What we wanted to do was build a bigger lead,” said Devine, who saw the 15-point margin sliced to nine in the third period.

The Falcons scored five quick points in the first minute of the second half to pull within 10. Later in the period, Krumins hit a jumper, cutting the deficit to nine.

Ludlowe got no closer, however, as Staples maintained its sizeable lead by making enough foul shots down the stretch.

The Wreckers, who would lose a three-way tie with Bassick (14-4) and McMahon (13-4)  and drop to sixth in the standings, close out the regular season at Greenwich on Wednesday.

“We have to play well against Greenwich, but these guys step up when they need to,” said Devine, “They really grinded one out.”

Ludlowe hosts Ridgefield on Wednesday in its regular-season finale.

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