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FIELD TWP – The first three-pointer from the Grizzlies’ TJ Chiabotti in Friday night’s matchup against Mesabi East spelled doom for the visiting Giants.A nonchalant Chiabotti buried …
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FIELD TWP – The first three-pointer from the Grizzlies’ TJ Chiabotti in Friday night’s matchup against Mesabi East spelled doom for the visiting Giants.
A nonchalant Chiabotti buried a jumper from the top of the key to cross the career 1,000-point threshold, breaking a 4-4 tie and igniting a 13-0 run that set North Woods on track for a dominating 113-64 win.
The victory took the edge off an 82-74 loss Thursday at Virginia in which the Grizzlies came back from a 17-point deficit to tie the game before fading in the final minutes.
Mesabi East had no answers for a Grizzlies defense that forced 28 Giants turnovers, including 22 steals, that North Woods converted into 50 points. Most of those points came off fast breaks.
“We’ve practiced those breakout drills,” head coach Will Kleppe said. “I thought for eight to ten minutes in stretches we moved the ball very well, just very unselfish.”
The Grizzlies were up 65-31 at halftime, allowing Kleppe to experiment with different combinations of starters and bench players in the second half while still extending their lead.
“It was a fun game,” Kleppe said. “We’re coming off six games in two weeks, so it was nice to see them bring the energy and play well.”
Trevor Morrison dominated the lane, scoring 43 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in only 26 minutes of play. Chiabotti tallied 27 points, followed by Jared Chiabotti with 13. Darius Goggleye and Brenden Chiabotti each scored 10.
Virginia’s height presented some matchup problems, but the Grizzlies kept it close, trailing 42-35 at the half. After a couple of quick North Woods baskets to open the second, the Blue Devils went on a tear, opening a 60-43 lead.
“It was looking pretty grim,” Kleppe said. “But even with foul trouble we battled, got some shots, got to the free-throw line.”
The Grizzlies came all the way back, tying the game 69-69 on a TJ Chiabotti three-pointer, and had the ball with the opportunity to take the lead. But North Woods came up empty in consecutive trips while Virginia scored twice. Fouls caught up with Goggleye and Morrison, leaving the Grizzles without them in the game’s decisive final minutes.
“We played the last four minutes pretty slim,” Kleppe said. “We just had some untimely turnovers and unfortunately that kept us from closing at the end.”
TJ Chiabotti had a game high 32 points, and Morrison added 18.
A rare late season break gives the Grizzlies a chance to recharge before hitting the road Friday for a game at Chisholm. North Woods will be back at home Monday against Carlton.