SULLY – Lynnville-Sully was the taller team, but it was that height turned sideways – into a long-armed, quick-footed defense – that carried the homestanding Hawks to a 58-47 victory over Montezuma in varsity boys basketball on Friday night, Dec. 2.
The Braves did OK on the boards and had decent success on defense. But getting open looks against the Hawks’ defense was a tall order.
Lynnville-Sully went inside to its 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 front line for an early 7-2 lead and Montezuma had to adjust. For a while, the Braves did, and led 14-12 when Owen Cook hit a three-pointer just seconds into the second quarter.
But the Hawks on defense dealt out a full quarter’s worth of frustration, outscoring Montezuma 15-0 the rest of the period.
The Braves had trouble getting open looks for shots, except for when they caught Lynnville-Sully adjusting late on attempted double teams.
The Braves converted on enough of those opportunities in the second half to stay within striking range.
Montezuma outscored the Hawks 33-31 in the second half. The Braves got as close as four points late in the third quarter, and kept their deficit to single digits for most of the fourth.
Gavin Strong led the Braves with 13 points, 4 steals and 8 rebounds.
Brady Boulton scored 12 and Owen Cook had 9.
Both Cook and Strong had to contend with foul problems as they attempted to contend with Lynnville-Sully’s size inside.
The Hawks kept a lid on Montezuma guard Masin Shearer, who scored just two points. He did dish a team-leading four assists.
The defeat left Montezuma at 1-1 on the season, while Lynnville-Sully went to 2-0.
UP NEXT – Montezuma hosts Colfax-Mingo on Tuesday evening, Dec. 6.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 11 3 20 13 – 47
Lynnville-Sully 12 15 14 17 – 58
MONTEZUMA (47)
Gavin Strong 4-15, 3-4, 4, 13. Masin Shearer 1-7, 0-4, 2, 2. Garrett Watts 1-4, 4-7, 3, 6. Colton Benson 1-3, 1-2, 2, 3. Owen Cook 4-7, 0-0, 4, 9. Brady Boulton 5-11, 0-0, 3, 12. Kohen Holland 1-2, 0-0, 1, 2. Max Anderson 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTAL – 17-50, 8-13, 19, 47.
LYNNVILLE-SULLY (58) – 22-57, 10-19, 12, 58.
Line score legend: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 5-21 (Strong 2-6, Boulton 2-7, Cook 1-1, Shearer 0-4, Watts 0-1, Holland 0-1, Anderson 0-1). LS – 4-20.
Turnovers: Montezuma 12, Lynnville-Sully 12.
Rebounds: Montezuma 24 (Strong 8, Shearer 3, Watts 3, Cook 3, Bulton 3, Anderson 3, Holland 1). LS – 28.
Assists: Montezuma 9 (Shearer 4, Boulton 2, Strong 1, Watts 1, Cook 1). LS – N/A.
Steals: Montezuma 6 (Strong 4, Boulton 2). LS – 2.
Blocks – Montezuma 1 (Boulton); LS – 6.