The Dawg Pound had the KBG rocking on Friday night.

By Sam Oshtry

The Aces picked up an important win in convincing fashion Friday night, beating a talented Strath Haven squad 68-54.

LM trailed 13-10 after a sloppy first quarter, but started to take control in a high-scoring second frame that included four of the team's ten treys on the night. LM hit three three-pointers over the final two minutes of the half, including two by Noah Fennell '17 and one from Terrell Jones' 17, to take a 33-28 lead into the break.

The Aces kept things rolling after halftime, using a 9-2 run to start the third and taking their first double-digit lead at 41-30 on a driving layup by Steve Payne '19. LM outscored the Panthers 19-9 in the quarter and led 52-37 heading into the final frame.

LM slowed the tempo in the fourth and played keep away for large stretches, forcing the Panthers to chase on the perimeter. The Aces led by as many as 18 and maintained a double-digit advantage until the final buzzer.

It was a satisfying win and a solid performance against a team that had only lost one league game prior to Friday night. Strath Haven boasts size, physicality and has established itself as a league contender.

Jack Forrest ’19 (20 points), Terrell Jones (17 points), Steve Payne ’19 (16 points) and Noah Fennell (12 points) led the way on Friday, playing well on both sides of the floor. Theo Henry ‘19, Matt O’Connor ‘19 and Darryl Taylor ’19 provided important minutes off the bench.

The Dawg Pound also had a big performance and the Aces fed off their energy all night.

LM has now won six straight and remains undefeated in 2017. The Aces have another tough test in a back-to-back on Saturday as they take on state-ranked Carlisle in the Kobe Bryant Classic at 4:15 PM.