News

BASKETBALL: Overtime loss to A-J drains Du Quoin

Posted January 30, 2012 10:00 pm

Doug Daniels

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Approximately sixteen hours after their overtime loss to Anna-Jonesboro was finally in the books, Du Quoin had to return to the floor to take on Mount Carmel at the 2012 Panther Showcase and looked the part of a worn out team struggling to keep up with their well-rested opponent.

The Golden Aces pulled away with a big third quarter push to win 61-50 on Saturday after the Indians had suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Wildcats at Anders Gymnasium the night before, 50-47. Mount Carmel looked like the quicker team from the opening tip-off on Saturday, scoring on a large number of fast-break chances and stick-backs.

"Mount Carmel had a fresh ball club, but that's no excuse," said Indians' head coach Gabe Sveda. "We have to come out and play better defense in the first half. I would say 95% of their points came on fast breaks and second chance opportunities, that can't happen."

Du Quoin trailed 6-3 after a couple of early turnovers, but fought back and grabbed the lead 15-14 on Jon Boss's layup towards the end of the first period. The Aces regained the lead and had a 28-26 edge at the half, but it was in the third quarter where they made their run.

The Indians had a 30-27 lead after two Cayle Diggins free throws, but Mount Carmel went on a 10-0 run that included a three-pointer by Reece Metcalf and led by six after the third period.

"In the second half they started knocking down some shots, we didn't," Sveda said. "We've got to get our confidence back offensively and find a way to get the ball in the basket."

Du Quoin started to find the bucket in the fourth, but the Aces didn't slow down. After Mount Carmel scored the first seven points of the frame they led 45-32, and the Indians never got closer than nine down the rest of the way.

"They bounced in and out of that man-to-man and zone (defense), it gave us fits at times, but once we found the open man and the cutter at the high-post, we got some good looks," Sveda said. "We've just got to slow down and fake and put the ball in the basket."

John Galik's 20 points led DHS, Diggins and Brenden Fred each had 10 to join him in double figures. Austin Mansker added 6 points, Daulton Beltz and J. Boss each had 2.

Mansker made his first career varsity start against Mt. Carmel and drew praise from his head coach following the game.

"He brings a lot of intensity for us on the defensive end," Sveda said. "He creates a lot of open looks for us in our offense because he finds gaps, penetrates well, and he's a very good passer. He's starting to gel with his teammates out there now a little bit, I think he's got a bright future on our team."

Du Quoin center Brandon Williams picked up two early fouls in the first half and did not return.

<u>Wildcats win in OT at Du Quoin</u>

On Friday night, the Indians were down eight with 5:12 to play in the fourth quarter before rallying to force overtime against Anna-Jonesboro, but after Williams fouled out of the game, the Wildcats' Brady Wright took over with the first five points of the extra frame to help hand Du Quoin a three-point loss.

"If it's not been clear already, it's got to be clear now: We've got to play four quarters," said Sveda. "We came back at the end, but we shouldn't be in that situation. You've got to play four quarters of basketball."

"I don't know what it was tonight, I thought we had a good pre-game talk, we had a real good week of practice, came out of the Sparta tournament on a high note, we just came out flat."

A-J led by ten in the third quarter before the Indians closed out the period with a 7-0 run capped off by Fred's triple. The Wildcats clawed right back, however, extending the lead to 38-30 with five-and-a-half minutes on the fourth quarter game clock.

Galik, who had 19 points in the game but was scoreless in the second half up until that point, buried a three with 5:12 to go to keep hope alive for Du Quoin, then connected from downtown again with 1:56 left to cut the lead to four.

Mansker got a layup in the paint on the next Du Quoin possession when Wright avoided contact with four fouls to his credit, but with 11 seconds to play the Wildcats still had a two-point lead and Dylan Vaughn at the free throw line for a one-and-one opportunity.

Vaughn made the first, but missed the second, giving Fred the chance to tie the game on his off-balance bank shot as time expired.

In the extra frame, the game was knotted at 45-45 but the Wildcats were able to pull ahead by hitting their free throws. Wright knocked away a lob pass on an inbounds play for Du Quoin with 2.7 seconds to go to end any hope of an Indian comeback.

"Give them credit, Brady Wright hit some key free throws down the stretch for them and we just couldn't find the bucket a couple times," Sveda said.

Fred finished with 10 points for Du Quoin in the loss, Williams and Diggins each had 6, Mansker 4, J. Boss 2. Wright and Travis Smith each finished with 16 points for A-J.

Du Quoin (9-13) gets back to work this week with games at West Frankfort (Tuesday 6:15 p.m.), Sparta (Friday) and at home this Saturday against Herrin.

Article Categories
News