OLIVESBURG — Paul Roeder was happy with his team’s win, but the performance was a little shaky at times, according to the Monroeville coach.

“I was concerned we were playing not to lose, as opposed to playing to win the game,” Roeder said after the Eagles eliminated Crestline 43-34 in a Division IV sectional final game here Friday night.

Monroeville (16-3) took an 8-7 lead after a quarter as both teams initially experienced cold shooting.

“They hit a couple of shots. We had our big guy in foul trouble. They capitalized. We’ve been through a lot and weathered the storm,” he said.

It marked the end or a terrific season for Crestline, marking the first 14-win season for the program since 1993-94.

“We could not hit bunny shots,” said Bulldogs coach Tyler Sanders.

Conner Lusk, one of five seniors, paced the effort with 18 points.

“Conner played very, very well. Lucas (Cochran) played one of his better games. He really pushed the ball and got us into some scoring opportunities. Really, he did a much better job than he did Tuesday night.”

Cochran had 9 rebounds to go along with 7 points.

With the win Monroeville advances to the district tournament in Willard where it will take on Margaretta at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“I’m really proud of all the guys’ effort. I thought we played really well, especially defensively,” Sanders said.

Crestline turned the ball over 13 times to just 5 for the Eagles.

Aidan Goodwin and Jimmy Clingman had 11 points each for Monroeville.

Crestline clawed its way back after falling behind 30-16 late in the third quarter.

Behind Lusk’s hustling effort the Bulldogs cut the deficit to 39-32 with 2:50 remaining in the game but could get no closer.

Lusk had two field goals (one a 3-pointer) and then knocked the ball away from a Monroeville player under the basket to prevent a score.

“We were up by 12 or 14 at one point and our guys took their foot off the pedal a little bit,” Roeder said.

The Bulldogs (14-9) capped off its best season in recent memory.

“They did a good job on Isaiah (Perry) too, who usually creates a lot of offense for us by driving and stuff,” Sanders said. “We just struggled, but the kids battled hard. Our program is better off for those seniors having come through it.”

Lusk, Brandon Hiles, R.J. Johnston, Josh Hall and Cochran suited up for the last time in the blue and white.

“Outside of the final two games of the year, we were cruisin’. These guys have had back-to-back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1940.“Their work ethic every day in practice is fantastic. I’m a pretty loud coach and I’m just as loud at practice and am just as hard on them. But they work hard and strive to get better.”

Sanders said his team may have “left a few wins out there this year, but the 14 wins was extra special. The growth they’ve made from the last two years ’til now is fun to see. It’s why you coach.”

Box score

Crestline            7        5       9     13 — 34

Monroeville      8     12     12     11 — 43

Stats

Crestline: (14-9): Shots 10-31; 3-pt. shots 3-10 (Conner Lusk 3); Free throws 10-13; Rebounds 21 (Lucas Cochran 9); Turnovers 13. Scoring: Conner Lusk 7 1 18, R.J. Johnston 2 1 5, Isaiah Perry 1 0 2, Josh Hall 0 2 2, Lucas Cochran 1 5 7.

Monroeville (16-3): Shots 14-38; 3-pt. shots 7-17 (Aidan Goodwin 3, Jimmy Clingman 3, Isaac Schafer); Free throws 4-6; Rebounds 13 (Isaac Roeder 4); Turnovers 5. Scoring: Aidan Goodwin 4 0 11, Josh Burrows 0 1 1, Blake Schaub 3 0 6, Isaac Roeder 3 3 9, Jimmy Clingman 4 0 11, Isaac Schafer 2 0 5.