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Sports

Hewlett Struggles in Loss to Sewanhaka

Bulldogs follow up huge win over Lawrence with flat effort.

Less than a week after a dramatic double-overtime win over long-time rival Lawrence, the visiting Hewlett Bulldogs were outworked and outscored by Sewanhaka, 56-48, in a Nassau Conference A-II match up at Sewanhaka High School.

Senior forward Kunle Ogunlowo had a season-high 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Indians, who improved to 4-1 overall, 2-0 in conference play. Hewlett was paced by senior Josh Rivlin's game-high 20 points.

Hewlett head coach Bill Dubin was not pleased with the team's effort. "They played a lot harder than we did," Dubin said. "Their game is to run and gun, hit the boards and rebound, and put the ball back up. We didn't stop it. We spotted them a big lead, and we couldn't catch up. We just didn't do what we were supposed to do."

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Sewanhaka got out of the gates fast, racing to a 23-13 lead after one quarter. Senior David Rust (14 points, three assists) scored eight points in the opening eight minutes to lead the way for the Indians.

Nothing would fall for Hewlett in the second quarter, and the young Bulldogs didn't help matters by turning the ball over seven times. Hewlett managed just three points in the quarter and fell behind 31-16 as the teams went to the locker room.

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The Indians quickly extended their lead to 37-18 with 5:45 left in the third quarter and appeared to be set to run away with it, but back came the Bulldogs. A three-pointer by senior George Josiah, a bucket by freshman Avery Feldman, and five straight points from Rivlin, got Hewlett back in the game at 37-28.

But a lay up by Ogunlowo ended Hewlett's scoring spree.

Once again, Sewanhaka look to have the game in hand as it built a commanding 49-33 lead with just 5:15 to play in the contest. Hewlett, which is gaining a bit of a reputation for battling back, made things interesting.

Sophomore Weldon Irvine hit two free throws to cut the deficit to 52-45 with 1:27 remaining, but the Bulldogs could get no closer. Indians' point guard Shireem Cobb, who scored 13 points and dished out five assists, knocked down three free throws in the final minute to sew things up for Sewanahaka. Hewlett fell to 3-2, 1-1 in league play.

Dubin believes his team needs to step it up on the defensive end of the court. "Until we play more physical, and play better defense, we're going to have problems," Dubin said. "We are young, but that's no excuse for not playing hard for 32 minutes."

Things won't get any easier for the Bulldogs. Hewlett will travel to South Side on Tuesday, Jan. 4. Tip-off time is 7:30 pm.

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