By Rich Stevens
The second-seeded Bridgeport boys basketball team bounced back from a slow start on Wednesday afternoon to earn a 50-28 victory over No. 7 Ravenswood (17-9) in the quarterfinals of the state tournament at the Charleston Civic Center.
The victory sends the Indians (22-2) to the semifinals at 9:30 a.m. on Friday against Fairmont Senior, a 63-50 winner against Bridgeport in the day’s first Class AA quarterfinal.
The Indians, who were averaging 65 points per game, were on a 36-point pace with the score tied at 18 in the first half.
Nick Greely had just five points after 16 minutes, but finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Indians scored 13 of the first 14 points of the second half to take control of the contest.
Ravenswood didn’t shoot particularly well in the first half (5-of-17) and had seven fewer shots than Bridgeport, but managed an 18-18 tie. The Red Devils were 3-of-16 in the second half and were outrebounded 19-9 in the third and fourth periods.
The Indians advance to play Fairmont Senior for the third time this season. Bridgeport is looking for the sweep, earning 67-56 and 56-47 victories earlier this season.