Saints long-distance shooting stops Hounds

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC Editor

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Xavier set a season-high mark for made three-pointers connecting on 15 as the Saints downed Fort Madison at the U.S. Cellular Center 79-61 on Saturday.

The Saints had nine different players hit a three-pointer in the game. Their previous high was just Tuesday when they hit 11 against Waterloo West. They connected on 10 on Dec. 7 against Linn-Mar.

Despite the long-distance prowess, the Saints are just 5 and 7 on the year.

Fort Madison senior Logan Rashid exploded for 22 points at the arena. Junior Jayden Fedler had 14 for the Hounds.

Xavier jumped out to a quick lead in the first period at senior Bryson Bastian and junior Jake Beckmann both drained a couple of long balls to help stake the Saints to a 21-11 first period.

The Saints would stretch the lead to 13 at halftime 36-23. The Hounds would make some defensive adjustments in the second quarter to hold Xavier to just two 3-balls, and would hang around being outscored just 15-12.

But Cedar Rapids would get hot again the third period with three players combining for four three-pointers as the Saints outscored Fort Madison 24-12 to put the game out of reach 60-35 going into the final period.

Fort Madison would put up their best effort of the night in the fourth period putting up 26 points led by Rashid's seven and four other players putting in points.

Other Hounds putting up points on the night included Dayton Davis and Parker Denning with nine,Mike Mosena with four and Brandon Keester chipped in with three.

The Bloodhounds take their 5-9 mark on the road Tuesday for a matchup with Clark County.