South Carroll controlled the first three quarters of last night's game with Glenelg, but the Gladiators dominated the fourth period and stole the game from the Cavaliers, 57-52.

Dallas Davidson scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to spark a 23-point period and help visiting Glenelg rally from a shaky start.

Glenelg (1-1) scored just 34 points in the first three quarters, but coach Jeremy Snyder told his team after the third period that turning up the intensity of its 2-1-2 zone press could create offensive chances.

The players took their cue, forcing 10 of South Carroll's 26 turnovers in that period and slowly taking command. They outscored the Cavaliers 23-11 in the fourth quarter.

"That was the key," Snyder said. "If we can play defense like that all the time, we'll be fine."

The Gladiators limited South Carroll to only two fourth-quarter baskets. The Cavaliers didn't get their first basket until 2:12 remained in the period and repeatedly turned the ball over, giving Glenelg easy scoring chances.

"Well, 26 turnovers speaks volumes," said new South Carroll coach Greg Mihalko, who played for the Cavaliers from 1992 to 1995. "Glenelg got momentum in the fourth quarter, and it swung their way."

Davidson sparked the team's 7-0 run at the start of the period that tied the game at 41. He scored four of those points and had an offensive rebound that set up one of the other baskets.

The 6-foot-5 junior then made two free throws that gave Glenelg the lead for good at 43-42 with 4:06 left. Davidson later scored six straight points to give the Gladiators a 53-45 lead with 1:27 remaining.

Devin Keeny added 11 points for Glenelg, and he made a great bounce pass that set up a key layup by J.J. Marchany in the fourth quarter.

"We just put our effort into it," Davidson said. "We were just trying to get the ball back as [often] as we could."

Point guard Shane Beccio (game-high 16 points) carried the South Carroll offense for much of the game, but the Gladiators slowed him and the rest of the Cavaliers late.

South Carroll also had some unexpected shooting problems. The Cavaliers made their first 12 free throws in the game, but hit only six of their final 11.

Glenelg might have broken the game open in the fourth quarter if it hadn't missed 10 of 19 free throws. Those misses let South Carroll get back into the game.

The Cavaliers cut the lead to 55-52 with 30 seconds left and had a chance to tie, but a three-pointer from the left corner with 22 seconds left missed.