Three and “D.”

It’s become a popular saying in basketball that means converting open three-point opportunities on the offensive end, while possessing the ability to shut down the opponent with tough defense.

The phrase usually pertains to a specific individual’s skill set, but on Monday evening it proved to be the winning formula for Palmerton as a team.

A dominant defensive performance by the Bombers, combined with a hot night from beyond the arc, fueled a 64-23 victory over Colonial League opponent Moravian Academy.

Palmerton (9-3) wasted no time getting its offense going, scoring 17 points in the first quarter. The Bombers stifling zone defense, paired with their strong man-to-man principles, made it tough for the Lions to even get quality shots off. The result was six forced turnovers and an 11-point advantage after one.

Matt Machalik (eight) and Chase Reph (seven) combined for 15 of Palmerton’s 17 points in the stanza.

“We played Moravian back in December at their place, and I thought we came out and played a little flat in that game,” said Palmerton head coach Ken Termini. “We watched some film of that first meeting prior to our game tonight, and I think our guys came out with a little extra effort in order to get off to a better start

“Tonight, we did an excellent job communicating in our zone, talking and knowing where shooters were, and that certainly made an impact for us.”

The Bombers kept the offensive pressure on in the second quarter, scoring 19 points in the frame as they extended their lead to 36-16 at the intermission. Eight different Palmerton players scored in the quarter.

In the third quarter is when the Bombers truly put the game away for good. Three consecutive triples – two from Brayden Hosier and one from Machalik - helped spur a 19-5 third quarter run that culminated in a 54-21 lead after three. A made foul shot around the four-minute mark of the quarter from big man Zack Anthony made it 48-18 and put the game into mercy rule.

Palmerton was 5-for-5 from beyond the arc in the second half.

“Throughout the season, we have had a lot of good looks from three and some good opportunities, but at times we haven’t been able to knock them down,” said Termini. “Tonight was a good sign for us in that department.

“I always tell our kids, over the course of the season, if you’re getting good looks that will all average out, which means the ball will start to go through the hoop. Hopefully, we’re starting to see that.”

LEADERS … Machalik and Hosier led the way for Palmerton, each coming through with 13 points. Reph added nine. The Bombers put 11 players in the scoring column. Christopher Ray led the Lions with 12 points.

ON FIRE … As a team, the Bombers shot an impressive 8-for-11 from the three-point line.

PALMERTON

Machalik 5-1-2-13, J. Sebelin 1-0-0-2, Robinson 0-2-2-2, Reph 3-2-4-9, Rumfield 3-0-0-6, Leister 0-0-0-0, K. Sebelin 1-0-0-2, Serfass 1-0-0-3, Grammes 1-0-0-2, Hosier 5-0-0-13, Steinmetz 0-0-0-0, Tworkowsky 3-0-0-6, Stahler 0-0-0-0, Anthony 1-1-2-3, Figueroa 0-0-0-0, Almodover 1-0-0-3; TOTALS: 25-6-10-64

MORAVIAN

Patel 2-0-0-4, Ray 5-0-0-12, Messman 2-0-1-4, Klotz 1-0-0-3, J. Miller 0-0-0-0, Reid 0-0-0-0, Mariani 0-0-0-0, Borsuk 0-0-0-0, K. Miller; TOTALS: 10-0-1-23.

Palmerton 17 19 19 10 – 64

Moravian 6 10 5 1 – 23

Three-pointers: Palmerton – Hosier 3, Machalik 2, Reph 1, Serfass 1, Almodover 1; Moravian Academy – Ray 2, Klotz 1.