TIGERS, KLINE MAKE THE COMEBACK, BEAT THE CARDINALS IN SEASON OPENER

Basketball is a game of makes and misses, scoring runs and defensive stands. And in the first game of the season, the Tigers of Newton Falls and Cardinal Mooney gave fans all of the above.

After a very slow start, with plenty of turnovers from both sides, the second quarter saw Mooney go on a 10-0 run. Led by senior Devon Jenkins and junior Mike Pelini, the front court of the Cardinals combined for 14 points in the second quarter to give Mooney a 10 point lead at the half, 23-13.

But the Tigers point guard Joey Kline would take the game over in the second half. After going 0-5 from long range, Kline would hit 3 big three point shots, as well as a wild left handed layup that drew a foul. Kline finished with 24, and brought the Tigers all the way back to take the lead in the fourth. Despite the sensational game from Pelini, who would finish 25 points and a couple rebounds short of a double double, Mooney could not answer down the stretch and fell to the Tigers 45-43.