There are shooters, and there are scorers, and Taran Buie is a scorer.
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic's Marauders saw Buie for the first time Monday night, and they saw plenty.
Buie poured in 39 points, including State College's last 11, and the Little Lions turned back BG, 68-57, at the Pleasant Valley gym.
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Mirror photo by Patrick?Waksmunski
Bishop Guilfoyle’s Jeff Holzer has his shot blocked by State College’s Taran Buie.
Buie, the half brother of Penn State standout Talor Battle, transferred to SC from Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, N.Y., for his senior season and has made a big impact for the Little Lions, who improved to 9-2 with last night's win.
A.J. Kitt's 3-pointer pulled BG to within 59-55 with 1:35 remaining, but Buie took over from there and personally outscored the Marauders 9-2 in the final 80 seconds.
"I don't know how much prouder you could be of our effort and our execution," BG coach Josh Baker said. "It came down to the final few minutes ... they made some plays, we didn't.
"That [performance] was no fluke," Baker said. "I really think that's who we are, and the wins will start coming soon. Games like this can only help us come playoff time."
The Class A Marauders have long been known for playing bigger schools - such as Class AAAA State College - tough, particularly on their home court.
An early signee with Penn State, Buie, a 6-foot-1 guard, made 15-of-28 shots from the field and 8-of-11 free throws en route to his big performance. Buie likes to run, shoot and create, and his defense forced several BG turnovers.
Guilfoyle led by 9 [23-14] three minutes into the second quarter, but State came on strong and was on top 39-33 at the break, thanks to Buie, who scored 20 in the quarter, including 13 in a 2 1/2-minute span.
After scoring 26 in the first half, Buie went scoreless in the third quarter and BG stayed within striking distance, keeping it a 10-point deficit [49-43] at the third stop.
"I consider myself a scorer, but I also consider myself an all-around player," Buie said. "We wanted to get some touches inside and create foul trouble for their big guys in the third quarter, but [BG] did a good job of limiting my shots and making me take some bad shots."
However, when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, Buie emerged again, scoring 13 of State's 19 fourth-quarter points and the Marauders had no answer.
"A kid the caliber of Buie, that's what he's supposed to do," Baker said.
State coach Drew Frank was disappointed with his team's slow start.
"I can't think of too many positives tonight other than we beat a scrappy team," Frank said. "BG always plays hard, and they did tonight."
Frank said the Lions have had trouble getting out of the gate all season.
"I can't tell you a game where were ahead after the first quarter," Frank said. "If we do this tomorrow night [SC plays at Hollidaysburg tonight], we'll be in trouble."
Game notes: Colby Way, with 13, was the only other SC player in double figures. ... Jeff Holzer led BG's balanced attack with 13. ... Evan Creppage tallied 12, Brian Logue 11 and Kitt 10. ... BG post players Haldan Kirsch and Beau Crockett both fouled out in the final minute. ... BG visits Richland on Wednesday.
STATE COLLEGE (68): Buie 15 8-11 39, Curley 1 0-0 3, Deffenbaugh 2 2-2 7, Scholly 0 0-0 0, Way 4 5-8 13, Mazzarra 1 2-2 4, Schmidt 0 0-0 0, Sallade 0 0-0 0, Clothiaux 0 0-0 0, Pagnatto 0 2-2 2. Totals - 23 19-25 68.
BISHOP GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC (57): Logue 3 5-6 11, Kitt 3 3-4 10, Holzer 4 4-6 13, Kirsch 4 1-2 9, Creppage 4 3-4 12, Crockett 0 0-0 0, Karnes 1 0-0 2, Ehredt 0 0-0 0. Totals - 19 16-22 57.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
State College8 31 10 19 - 68
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic15 18 10 14 - 57
3-point goals: State College 3 (Buie, Curley, Deffenbaugh); Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic 3 (Kitt, Holzer, Creppage).
Officials: Gary Zimmerman, Tom Shea, Jack McDougal.
Records: State College (9-2); Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic (3-8).
JV: State College 43-29.
