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Basketball: No. 2 Eastern beats No. 1 Paul VI

Junior Devon Bell scored 30 and Eastern dominated the first three quarters as the No. 2 Vikings beat No. 1 Paul VI, 84-74, in a clash Saturday of the Inquitrer's top two teams in the South Jersey rankings.

Sophomore center Matt Klinewski added 14, senior guard Mike Wilson 12, and senior guard Brett Knoblauch 10 for Eastern (16-1), which built a 63-40 lead after three quarters.

"They out-energized us," Paul VI coach Tony Devlin said.

Eastern will be the No. 1 seed in the SJ Group 4 tournament. The Vikings also will rise to No. 1 in the rankings.

They controlled the game before a near-capacity crowd in a highly anticipated clash of teams that entered play with 15-1 records.

"We've been waiting for this game for months," Bell said.

Eastern's bench supplied the energy in the second quarter, as Knoblauch scored six and senior forward Melvin Ford added six as the Vikings took a 33-22 halftime lead.

Bell dominated the third quarter, scoring 15. The 6-3 swingman also had four rebounds in the period in which Eastern outscored Paul VI, 30-18.

"They got to every loose ball," Devlin said.

Paul VI likely will be the No. 2 seed in the South A tournament.

"I told our guys, 'Let's find out who the best team in South Jetrsey is," Eastern coach Joe Murphy said.

Paul VI 12 10 18 34 - 74

Eastern 12 21 30 21 -- 84

PVI: Ron Curry 17, Kris O'Connor 15, Roosevelt Cubbage 16, Matt Rise 9, Jay Howard 15, Sameen Swint 2.

E: Mike Wilson 12, Devon Bell 30, Matt Klinewski 14, Avery Walker 8, Melvin Ford 7, Brett Knoblauch 10, Steve Schneider 3.

-- Phil Anastasia