DES MOINES – The Montezuma Braves get a lot of attention because of all the points they put up, and deservedly so.
But the team’s defense and rebounding were front and center during the second half and overtime of their 64-61 victory over previously unbeaten Lake Mills on Monday evening, March 8.
Lake Mills shot 16-for-30, for .533, during the first half, which ended tied at 40-40.
But in the third and fourth quarters, it dropped to eight-for-19, for .424. Then, the Bulldogs were just one-for-four in the overtime.
“I’m very proud of how the boys responded defensively,” Braves Coach Derrick Dengler said. “Lake Mills was a very good team, well-coached and very strong.”
The starters get credit here, but so do the guys off the bench: Owen Cook and Gavin Strong in this game. All of them kept their hands and feet moving.
Eddie Burgess was a tower of strength defensively and on the boards after halftime, after putting up eight of his 14 points during first half play.
Montezuma forged a 13-13 tie in second half rebounds. That was huge, especially considering that Lake Mills had a 17-9 edge in the first half.
“I thought we got just enough stops and executed down the stretch offensively to be able to win,” Dengler said.
Here are some miscellaneous statistics that they keep track of in the state tournament:
Largest leads – Montezuma by nine points at the 4:12 mark of the first quarter. Lake Mills by six at the 2:37 mark of the second period.
Points in the paint: Montezuma 26, Lake Mills 34.
Points off turnovers: Montezuma 7, Lake Mills 9.
Second chance points: Montezuma 6, Lake Mills 12.
Fast break points: Montezuma 5, Lake Mills 4.
Bench points: Montezuma 0, Lake Mills 3.
Last field goal: Montezuma at 2:58 of overtime. Lake Mills at :34 of overtime.
Score tied: 5 times.
Lead changed: 6 times.
Montezuma led for 21:39 of playing time.
Lake Mills led for 8:17.
The score was tied for 5:48.
And we go back to do it again on Wednesday night!
