Owens posts game-high 29 points in 65-51 semifinal win over Page
By Randy Arrington
WOODSTOCK, Feb. 18 — Luray hit a dozen three-pointers and got a game-high 29 points from junior Matthew Owens in a 65-51 semifinal win over Page County on Tuesday night in the Bull Run District tournament. The Bulldogs will return to Woodstock for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off on Thursday, Feb. 20 to face the top-seeded Falcons of Central in the Bull Run championship.
Late in the second quarter on Tuesday night, Owens hit a free throw that put him over the 1,000-point milestone for his high school career. The junior shooting guard started off the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers and scored 12 of Luray’s 14 points during the frame. He would end the night with six of the Bulldogs’ 12 three-pointers during the game.
“In the two games against these guys earlier, he kinda missed some shots that he normally makes and tonight he had a different attitude, a different mindset… he came out tonight and really carried that spark and lead us,” LHS head coach Matt Huff said after Tuesday’s semifinal win. “I’m so proud of him…1,000 points in three years…he might have a chance to be the all-time leading scorer for the boys at Luray.”
Luray shot 67 percent from the floor and jumped out to 17-7 lead in just over five minutes, recording five three-pointers from four different Bulldogs. However, Page would go a perfect 7-for-7 at the line in the opening quarter, and narrowed a 10-point margin down to just four in the final 1:46 of the period. Luray was up 17-13 at the end of the first. Junior Caden Combs scored eight of Page’s 13 points, including a 6-for-6 effort at the stripe.
Owens owned the second quarter, as Luray outpaced Page 14-10 and the Bulldogs increased their lead to eight points at the half, 31-23.
After being held scoreless in the first half, junior Dawson Richards exploded for 12 of Page County’s 15 points in the third quarter, including a pair of triples. The Panthers cut their deficit down to five at 43-38, heading into the fourth.
The Bulldogs opened up the final frame with four consecutive three-pointers (two by Owens) and went on a 22-13 run to close the game. Luray went 6-for-8 at the line in the final 4:09. Page never got closer than five points and shot 4-for-14 from the floor over the final eight minutes. The Bulldogs closed out a 14-point win, 65-51, to advance to the Bull Run District championship against Central on Thursday in Woodstock.
“When we played [Central] at our place earlier in the year, we had ’em…we were up six with three minutes to go or so, and I felt like we got tired,” Coach Huff said. “So hopefully, this time around, we have that lead and we don’t get tired, and we can build on it and make shots against those guys and come out with a victory.”
Behind Owen’s game-high 29 points in Tuesday’s semifinal, Luray got 17 points from senior Blake Jenkins and seven points from sophomore Ayden Haddock. Overall, the Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the line. Luray committed 11 turnovers, including five in the first quarter.
Page County was lead by Richards with 14 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Senior Ace Campbell had 12 points, while Combs added 10 and junior Brandon Wright had nine. Overall, the Panthers shot 34 percent from the floor and 71 percent from the line. Page committed 14 turnovers, with five in the first quarter and four in the third.
Following Thursday’s Bull Run title game, Luray (17-6) and Page County (13-10) will meet for a fourth time this season — third time in 12 days — in the quarterfinal round of the Region 2B tournament. No. 3 seed Luray will host No. 6 Page on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
“Hopefully, we’ll make shots like we did [tonight] again,” Coach Huff said of trying to beat the Panthers a third consecutive time next week. “If we make shots like we did tonight, I like our chances against anybody.”
And that depends, at least in part, on a 1,000-point player.
“It’s honestly just a blessing… I can’t believe it; it’s awesome,” Owens said of hitting the 1,000-point mark after Tuesday’s game. “All the hard work, the long days in the gym have definitely paid off… I’m very happy.”
The junior says the Bulldogs are ready for the region tournament, and ready for the Falcons — one of the best teams in VHSL Class 2 — in Thursday’s district championship.
“We’re definitely feeling good..,” Owens said. “We definitely feel like we can make a run at the end of this year, and we’re just ready and locked in for whatever comes.”
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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