By JO WANKEL

Era Sports Writer

Otto-Eldred held a 28-20 lead at the half and withstood an admirable effort from Serra Catholic to rally, recording a 64-54 win Tuesday in the PIAA playoffs. The Terrors will advance to play Friday against the winner of the Turkeyfoot Valley/Aquinas Academy game.

Otto-Eldred’s Davey Schenfield opened scoring with a three just 42 seconds in. Serra Catholic’s Braydan Graham scored on a rebound to cut the lead to one, 3-2, with 7:06 left in the first quarter. SC’s Jake Holmes sank a shot with 6:08 to go to give Serra Catholic the lead, 4-3. However, O-E’s Manning Splain answered with another three-pointer to turn the tide in the Terrors’ favor, with a 6-4 score at the 5:58 mark.

O-E’s Landon Francis added a three to increase the lead to 9-4. However, a basket from Serra Catholic’s Owen Dumbroski cut the lead to two. The remainder of the first quarter saw a battle of wills, with O-E coming out ahead, 14-10, at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw O-E take a nine-point run before Serra Catholic broke the streak with a successful free throw from Dumbroski. With the score 23-13 and 2:10 on the clock, Serra Catholic scored seven more points to O-E’s five but the Terrors still held an eightpoint lead at the half.

During the third and fourth quarter, Serra Catholic battled but could not reduce the point deficit much below a 10-point margin. Otto-Eldred ended the third with a 43-34 lead. The fourth quarter was a tale of fouls and free throws, as Shene Thomas drained four, Hunter App, Splain and Schenfield each contributed two and Francis added four to maintain the lead.

With a final score of 64-54, Otto-Eldred got the chance to celebrate another victory. The Terrors have a short break before they return to action Friday, location and time to be determined.