By Jacob Mathias

After a tight first half, the Pacelli Cardinals varsity boys basketball team lost 49-39 to the Assumption Royals on December 3.

The Cardinals entered the game after a 54-45 win over the Stratford Tigers on November 30. The Cardinals record now stands at 1-1 in nonconference play.

Leading scorers for Pacelli were senior guards Jake Elliott and Trevor Glodowski who shot for 12 points each. Overall the Cardinals only shot 28.3 percent from field goal range and 23.8 percent from the three-point line. They were better on the free throw line, scoring eight of 10 attempts.

“We didn’t have senior Chris Shibiliski tonight and his leadership and toughness were really missed on the court.  We executed the offense pretty well but unfortunately the shots weren’t dropping for us tonight,” said Pacelli Head Coach Matt Resch. “Assumption is a solid and well coached team that executed well down the stretch.”

Assumption was led offensively by sophomore forward Joe Grundhoffer with 19 points and junior guard Trevor Newton with 16 points.

Pacelli next plays at home against the Bonduel Bears on December 8 at 7:00 PM in their first game of Central Wisconsin-Eight conference play. They then travel to Wittenberg-Birnamwood on December 11 to play the Chargers at 7:30 PM.