Butler clinches section title in 68-63 victory over Pine-Richland

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Butler clinched their first section title since 1992 in a 68-63 win Tuesday night on the road at Pine-Richland. The game was back-and-forth all night long, as the biggest lead in the game was 10 points and in the second half was six points.

Pine-Richland started the game with a ton of energy in front of their home crowd jumping out to a 18-8 lead but Butler started to settle in on offense and only trailed 19-13 going into quarter number two. Six points was the biggest lead either team would have for the rest of the game. Butler kept the momentum going and outscored the Rams 20-16 in the quarter and Pine-Richland hung onto a 35-33 lead at the half.

Butler started to really get things rolling in the third quarter and got their first lead heading into the fourth quarter 52-50. With under a minute to go in the fourth quarter, Butler led 66-63 but Pine-Richland had the ball. A missed three from the top of the key and a huge rebound by the PlayerPager Player of the Game, Ethan Morton, sealed the game. Morton hit two free throws for good measure and the section title was all Butler’s.

Morton and sophomore Devin Carney each had 18 points for Butler. Mason Montag added 14 points.

Kyle Polce led Pine-Richland with 22 points. Joey Petcash added 12 points.

Butler improves to 8-0 in Section 1-6A and 14-4 overall. The Golden Tornado head back home to battle Central Catholic at 7:30 p.m Friday night.

Pine-Richland falls to 5-3 in Section 1-6A and 12-6 overall. Next up for the Rams will be North Hills right back in their home gym Friday night at 7:30 p.m.