FAIRBORN — The third meeting between Purcell Marian and Kettering Alter was a carbon copy of the two regular-season games.

        During a two-minute span to start the fourth quarter, the Knights went on a 9-2 run en route to a 51-38 victory over the Cavaliers in the Division II regional semifinals at Wright State Univerity's Nutter Center.

        Alter advances to Saturday's regional championship game for the 10th time, meeting Roger Bacon at 7:30p.m.

        “This game was just like the first two,” Purcell Marian coach Mike Gergen said. “It was up and down, and then they made a run. We lost by 10 and 12 and tonight by 13 points.”

        Leading 33-32 after three quarters, Alter's Doug Penno stole the ball and went half the length of the floor and scored on a layup. Following another Cavalier turnover, Dave Kohls scored off a jump shot for a 37-32 advantage.

        “The Penno kid made some big shots,” Gergen said. “He also shot well the first two games.”

        Purcell Marian then missed two free throws at the 6:30 mark. Fouled while shooting, Alter center Adam Waleskowski followed with a free throw and Jeff Penno made a field goal and free throw before Keith Jackson scored for the Cavaliers.

        “The steal was big and changed the momentum,” Alter coach Joe Petrocelli said. “We moved the trap out a little in the second half and it was successful, especially with Doug out front.”

        Jackson, who will play for Xavier University next season, also pointed to the start of the fourth quarter as the turning point.

        “We lost focus, and that's when the momentum changed,” Jackson said. “We were able to get the ball inside during the first half but didn't get it done in the second half.”

        Alter's 1-3-1 zone didn't appear to bother Purcell Marian during the deliberately played first half that saw the Knights take a 13-10 break at the quarter and 25-24 at halftime.

        “They used 2-3 and 3-2 zones in the first two games,” Gergen said. “We practiced against the 1-3-1 and were ready for it.”

        But Alter pulled out the 1-3-1 higher near the end of the third quarter, often trapping outside the 3-point line. This adjustment may have been another factor in the outcome.

        During the final quarter, Alter paraded to the free throw line, converting seven of 10 to put the game away.

        “We've been a good free throw shooting team except for a slump five or six games during the middle of the season,” Petrocelli said. “We're now back to shooting well.”

        The state runners-up last season, the Cavaliers lost four starters and weren't expected to make it to the regional.

        “This team totally exceeded all expectations,” Gergen said. “I'm disappointed but happy with the way this team played this year.”

        The Cavaliers finish the season 16-9.

        KETTERING ALTER (51) — Jones 2-8 3-4 8, Kohls 5-7 1-1 1, Waleskowski 4-12 5 -7 13, J. Penno 4-5 0-0 8, Laumann 1-3 2-2 4, Knellinger 0-1 0-0 0, D. Penno 1- 1 3-5 5, Fitzpatrick 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 18-39 14-19 51.

        PURCELL MARIAN (38) — Jackson 3-11 2-4 8, Cooper 0-3 0-0 0, Calloway 4-7 0-0 8, Finnell 1-3 0-0 3, Fulks 4-8 0-2 8, Woods 0-1 0-00, Thornton 2-2 0-0 4, P ilgrim 2-6 3-3 7. Totals: 16-43 5-9 38.

        Alter ....... 13 12 8 18 51

        Purcell Marian ....... 10 11 11 6—38

        3-pointers: A (1-8) Jones. P (1-6) Finnell. Rebounds: P 25 (Jackson 7, Coope r 5). A 28 (Kohls 11, Waleskowski 13). Assists: P 12 (Jackson 4, Finnell 3, Fulks 2). A 10 (Waleskowski 3). Blocks: A 4 (Waleskowski 4). P 3. Turnovers: P 12, A 11. Officials: Duane Jaso, Ron Hurst, Corwin. Records: Alter 22-2, Purcell Marian 16-9. Attendance: 3,500 estimated.

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