| 12/12/2009 9:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| BANGING: Southwestern’s Austin Ames drives on New Washington’s Jacob Ramer Friday. Ames scored 25-points in the Rebels’ 86-70 win. (Staff photo by David Hill) |
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Intensity, fast start powers Rebels' win over Mustangs
David Hill
Courier Staff Writer
Southwestern grabbed the early lead and never let up, rolling to an 86-70 win over New Washington Friday at home.
The Rebels led only 16-11 after the first quarter but turned on the jets from there. The lead stayed around 20 for most of the rest of the game.
"Our team came out with the intensity we want and expect as a coaching staff," said Southwestern coach B.J. McAlister. "This was the best-executed game plan we've had this season. We spread the ball around on offense and that's what we need - for everybody to share as a team."
The Mustangs made a late run where they cut Southwestern's lead to 13 points but, according to McAlister, the run wasn't unexpected.
"We knew they would make a run," the coach said. "They kept on fighting from start to finish."
Southwestern forward Austin Ames, who led his team with a career-high 25 points, and center Adam Mabry scored six points each in the opening quarter to pace the Rebels to a 16-11 lead after one quarter.
Baskets by forward Tanner Mahoney and a pair by Ames, including a three-point play, gave the Rebels a 23-11 lead at the outset of the second quarter. Southwestern kept adding to its lead.
A 3-pointer by Caleb Jones gave the hosts a 32-18 advantage with three minutes left. That lead increased to 17 as Jones scored a buzzer-beater off the fast break for a 40-23 halftime lead.
New Washington, which sank 12 3-pointers on the night, was especially hot from beyond the arc during the third period. That's when forward Devin Freels had three of his four treys. Dustin Bowman, Chris Radford, Jesse Woods and Evan Bower also chipped in 3-pointers as the Mustangs outscored the Rebels 27-23 to cut the deficit to 63-50.
Southwestern countered New Washington's outside attack well with Jones knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and Hunter Means hitting one.
With the Mustangs still hanging around down 13, McAlister gave his team a breather to talk strategy.
"We needed to get re-focused," the coach said. "You have to credit the fight in New Washington."
McAlister liked how his team kept its poise late in the contest.
"We did a really good job rebounding the ball, taking care of the ball and being patient."
As the final period got underway, Southwestern delivered its one-two knockout punch in the form of two baskets each by Mahoney and Ames to take a 72-50 lead and force Mustangs' coach Jonathan May to use a time-out.
The Rebels' lead stayed around 17 points throughout most of the final period with the exception of a 6-0 run by Southwestern, where it took a 21-point 82-61 lead.
A 3-pointer by New Washington's Bowman cut the final margin to 16 points.
The Rebels go on the road tonight when they visit Rock Creek.
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at Hanover
SOUTHWESTERN 86, N WASHINGTON 70
NEW WASHINGTON 11 12 27 20 - 70
SOUTHWESTERN 16 24 23 23 - 86
NEW WASHINGTON (2-2) - (g)Freels 30, (g)Bowman 12, (f)Radford 11, Woods 9, Bower 5, Ramer 3, (g)Krohn 0, (f)Wiggam 0.
SOUTHWESTERN (2-2) - (f)Ames 25, (f)Mahoney 18, (c)Mabry 16, (g)Jones 15, (g)Means 10, Jenkins 2, Taylor 0, Hamilton 0, Perry 0, Jackson 0, Smith 0.
3-Point Goals - New Washington 12 ( Freels 4, Bowman 4, Ramer 1, Woods 1, Radford 1, Bower 1), Southwestern 4 (Jones 3, Means 1). Total Fouls - New Washington 17, Southwestern 8. Free Throws - New Washington 4-4 (100%), Southwestern 12-19 (63%). Fouled Out - None. Next Game - New Washington visits Crothersville tonight. Southwestern visits Rock Creek tonight.
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