The Poland Bulldogs hosted the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals in the Division IV playoffs. The Bulldogs squeaked out a win in a low-scoring game. The Bulldogs led the entire game thanks to junior standout, Nick Nittoli.

Nittoli had the team’s first 7 points to get them out to an early 9-4 lead within the opening three minutes. The final minutes of the first quarter were different, though the Bulldogs would only score one more point the rest of the quarter 

This would cause Cardinal Mooney to pull it back within two points to end the first quarter. The second quarter picked up where both teams left off; the Bulldogs went three minutes without scoring a point, leading to an 18-15 halftime score.

Coming out of halftime, Poland came out firing, scoring seven straight points to get their lead up to double digits before Mooney Guard would change that and hold the deficit all the way up to four.

But, Vito Komara quickly responded, making their lead up to six entering the final quarter. Poland was up 30-24. Mooney would keep chipping away, cutting the deficit to 32-30 midway through the fourth.

Mooney had an opportunity to tie the game with two free throws, but ultimately ended up missing both free throws.

Poland Guard Carmine Tukalo drove to the hoop and got a bucket when his team needed it.

This would put Poland up 34-30. Then, in the next possession, Mooney would turn it over again, and Tukalo would score again, making the game 36-30 with no time for the Cardinals to come back. The final score was 40-32, with Poland winning.

After the game, Junior Guard Nick Nittoli was asked, “How did your team manage to be composed in a close game like this?”

Nittoli said, “It is a playoff game, so we have to stay calm and take games like this slower.”