By Marny Hendrick

sports@salisburypost.com

SPENCER — The game was rough and tumble with a few technical fouls thrown in, but the North Rowan Cavaliers kept its composure well enough Friday night to pull away from Harding University High, 67-54.

Senior guard Jalen Sanders directed the attack with 21 points while junior Joe Scott came off the bench with 13 points and some key rebounds. Some timely long range shooting from Josh Handy and Joe Harrison, who scored nine each, helped the Cavaliers pull away in the second half to stay unbeaten (5-0) for the new season. The 4A Rams are still looking for their first win as they fell to 0-6, including two losses to North.

The physical nature of the game reached the “chippy” point early in the third period when Scott was whistled for a technical during a jump ball tie-up. The Rams used the opportunity to whittle the seven point North halftime lead down to 29-2,8 on a long three pointer by Marcus Talley. But the Cavaliers responded positively with a Sanders three, and layups by Scott and Xavier Haley to surge ahead, 38-30.

Following a double technical on a fast break collision, the two teams then settled down to just play hard nosed defense. North closed out the third with a 7-2 run and built a working margin at 44-33.

“Yes, it was a very physical game,” noted Sanders, ” but that is what we expected from the Charlotte teams we have played this season. We just had to play good solid defense because we knew they were a good shooting team.”

No one fouled out of the game on either side but they style of play resulted in the two teams combining for a total of 54 free throw attempts. Winning coach Andrew Mitchell was glad his team played through the roughness and technicals to turn in a solid defensive effort.

“That is what we have been good at all year, just refocusing,” Mitchell said. ” A lot of times we will make a run then do one or two crazy things, but tonight we got our focus back, played good defense and rebounded. The really good thing about this team is that we have good leadership.”

The Cavaliers were most impressive in the final quarter when they took a decent 11-point working margin and expanded it to as many as 18 down the stretch. Scott, Harrison and Handy all had key baskets in the run, but junior forward Alonzo Sirleaf was the one who sent the home crowd into a frenzy. With just over three minutes left, Sirleaf sliced down the lane for a thunderous dunk and drew a foul. The free throw made it 58-42 and sealed the Rams’ fate.

Harding was led in the game by Yakim Jenkins with 18 points, including a trio of threes and 6 of 8 free throws. Talley added 12 for the Rams.

After playing tough 4A competition the last two nights, North Rowan now gets a week off before playing at North Surry next Friday.

HARDING  (54) — Jenkins 18, Talley 12, Chambers 7, Rankin 5, Tillman 4, Henderson 4, Hill 3, Ngwenah 1, Barker.

NORTH ROWAN (67) — Sanders 21. Scott 13, Harrison 9,  Handy 9, Haley 5, Cook 4, Sirleaf 3, Shields 2, Cuthbertson 1, Alexander, Stoner, Miller.

Harding    11  11  11  22 — 54

N. Rowan   10  19  15  23 — 67