Life was back to normal on Tuesday night for the Ramblers, who rattled off 13 consecutive points while holding Hall-Dale scoreless for a three-minute stretch of the second quarter and cruised to a 64-36 win.

Garrett Tsouprake and Jacob Hickey combined for 16 points in the decisive second stanza, helping Winthrop (8-1) extend a modest two-point lead to 16 in short order.

“We started to play basketball with some heart, some passion and some energy. Kind of what our program has been built on the past five years,” Winthrop coach Todd MacArthur said. “I think we kind of got away from that, and we’re going to get back to it.”

Hickey highlighted his game-high 21 points with 9-for-10 efficiency at the free-throw line. Tsouprake and Owens each added 10 points, and their size and mobility caused problems for Hall-Dale (5-5) at both ends of the court.

Owens scored eight in the first quarter and concluded with six rebounds and five steals. Tsouprake erupted for nine in the second and racked up a team-high nine boards along with four thefts.

Winthrop bounced back from its initial loss of the season to Dirigo six days ago with a convincing win over Mt. Abram, then completed the season sweep of Hall-Dale.

“I think we’ve had a good week in games and practices, and I think that transitioned into our performance tonight,” Hickey said. “Hopefully that will continue.”

Enrico Giunti bolstered the Bulldogs with 12 points and eight rebounds. Winthrop held Hall-Dale to 32 percent shooting and forced 25 turnovers, including nine in the second quarter.

There were six lead changes in the opening period. Alec Byron and Josh Berberich delivered buckets and Alec Roberts-Poulin sank two free throws to supplement Giunti’s five points for the Bulldogs, whose defensive effort held Hickey without a field goal in the period.

Berberich tied the game for the third time with an inside bucket for Hall-Dale, but Derek McLaughlin answered at the buzzer to give the Ramblers a 13-11 edge.

Hickey and Tsouprake kicked off the second quarter with baskets. Giunti splashed down a 15-footer from the right baseline before the Ramblers’ pressure and transition offense took over.

“There’s a lot of talent on that team. They’re still trying to find themselves,” MacArthur said of Hall-Dale. “I think that’s going to be a dangerous team down the stretch when they learn how to click. I’m glad that we’re done with them and got two wins.”

Two free throws from Hickey launched the lengthy Winthrop run. The junior guard hit a jumper from the top of the key to trigger a stretch of nine more points in a 71-second span.

Tsouprake kept it going with a steal and a layup, then continued it with a 3-point play by way of Owens. Andrew Pazdziorko and McLaughlin each poured it on with a bucket.

“Coach made a point this week that once we get ahead, keep ahead. We did that tonight. I think we’re all happy with that performance,” Hickey said. “Our full-court transition did well. To the wings, to the post, to the trailer, I think we all found the open man.”

Five different Ramblers notched at least one assist in the quarter. Bennett Brooks, who set up six hoops on the night, capped the quarter with one of his own for a 35-19 advantage.

Berberich was saddled with three fouls in the first half and picked up his fourth just over a minute into the third quarter, leaving the Bulldogs with few defensive answers in the paint as the Ramblers repeatedly slashed to the rack.

Winthrop shot 61 percent from the floor over the final three periods and 51 percent overall.

“We’re asking some kids to do a lot more things that they haven’t done in the past,” MacArthur said. “They’re all excited and anxious for that opportunity, but with that opportunity means they’ve got to work to achieve their goal and the team’s goal.”

koakes@sunjournal.com

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