Bedford advances after 54-47 victory over scrappy Elyria team (Photos)

The underdog Elyria Pioneers (5-9) proved themselves a handful for the Bedford Bearcats (9-1) during their meeting at the Maple Heights Wylie Athletic Center Saturday night. The Bearcats held a slim 45-41 lead with only 4 minutes left in the game, but were able to hold on for a 54-47 victory, after some clutch shooting and free throws by senior Chaze Harris, who ended the game with 10 points — most coming in the final period.

Bedford’s Chaze Harris (2) dribbles around a screen set by Malik Simmons (4) on Elyria defender Dezaron Shelton (5).

Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Bedford’s Malik Baker (24) reaches for the ball in traffic.

While Bedford led much of the game, they found themselves in the second quarter at a 8-point deficit, 23-15, with 4:23 left in the half. The Pioneers physicality inside on defense and their sharp shooting from beyond the 3-point line had allowed them to keep pace with Bedford in the first quarter, and then build the lead in the second.

What looks like Bedford’s Malik Baker (24) blocks the shot of Elyria’s Graig Mogus (24) during the beginning minutes of the game. According to the statistics on MaxPreps.com, Bedford players had five blocks during the game, and Baker had two of those.

Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Bedford defenders Malik Simmons (4) and Trey Miller (3) clamp down on Elyria’s Omar Palos (4).

Bedford answered in the form of 6’2″ junior Malik Baker, who was a major force on the offensive boards all night, and helped lead a 10-point charge by Bedford to retake the lead at 25-23 — a lead the Bearcats would never relinquish. Baker had two impressive tip-ins during the second period, and ended the game with 11 rebounds, including 9 on the offense glass according to statistics from MaxPreps.com.

Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Elyria’s Omar Palos (4) launches a three-pointer as Bedford defenders head for the rebound. Three-point shooting helped keep the Pioneers in the game until the end.

Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Raymell Hester (1) avoids defender MarSaun Robinson (2) as he scores on a reverse layup during the first half of the game against the Pioneers.

Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Errone McCrimon (0) lofts a three-pointer during the first half of the game.

The Bearcats took a 29-25 lead into halftime and extended their lead to 40-32 after three quarters. Still, it seemed like every time Bedford looked to pull away, Elyria answered to keep the game close, usually with a three-pointer.

Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Bedford’s Raymell Hester provides pressure on the ball handler, Omar Palos (4), during the second half of the game.

Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Bedford’s Joe Stokes attempts to swat the field goal attempt of an Elyria player in the second half.

Elyria entered the tournament as the 25th seed and defeated 18th-seeded Medina Highland, 49-46 on Wednesday in order to advance to play the sixth-seeded Bearcats. The Bearcats with now move on to play seventh-seeded Brunswick at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Maple Heights. Brunswick defeated 20th-seed Parma Normandy by a score of 88-47 to advance. You can see the tournament brackets here.