March 12, 2015 at 12:47 p.m.
Pointers get by Iowa-Grant
In that second quarter, the Pointers outscored the Panthers 20-12, including going seven of nine from the charity stripe, to take a 36-24 lead at the break.
The Panthers started the second half solidly, and two baskets by Isaac Anderson got the visitors within 39-30 with 5:53 left, but Mineral Point stayed strong. A three from Panther Caleb Hill was the last scoring for either team in the third at the 1:44 mark, but Iowa-Grant still trailed 46-35 entering the fourth.
"We cut it to eight in the fourth quarter, but when you get down early, it is hard to get all the way back," said Panther coach Toby Tripalin. "We had to chase and press them at the end and thinking that will work against the Pointers is a pipe dream. But we didn't quit. We fought hard but it was too tough to come back."
Free throws were a big key to the contest as well with the Pointers cashing in on 18 attempts while the Panthers mustered just three.
Tripalin also credited the Pointers' tenacity on the glass.
"They smashed us on the offensive boards," he said. "I would say they got 15 to our two and a lot of them led to baskets. When they get an offensive rebound and kick it back out for a three pointer, it breaks your back pretty quickly."
"Our defense broke down at times when we were supposed to help the helper," he added. "We were a step slow all night and you can't be that way against a team as good as Mineral Point."
The Pointers were led by Tarek Oellerich's game-high 27 point performance. Turner Poad and Sy Staver added 15 each.
Iowa-Grant's top performers were Anderson with 14, Brayden Johnson 12, Hill 11, and Trent Milliken 10.
"The first tournament game is always difficult, especially against a quality opponent like Iowa-Grant," said Pointer coach Dan Burreson. "They have been playing very well over the past month and obviously playing a team for a third time creates some challenges. We did a great job moving the ball and sharing the ball. Joey Gorgen led the team with five assists, and Sy, Turner, and Alec Schmitz each had four."
"Tarek had a great night with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Those points happened a lot of times after great ball movement. Turner really got us going early with eight points in the first quarter and 15 on the night. Sy had another solid offensive performance with 15 points. Joey had a good night on the boards as well with five rebounds."
The Panthers ended their season with an 11-12 record. Mineral Point improved to 23-0 with the win.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
IG: 12-12-11-18--53
MP: 16-20-10-23--69
BOX SCORE
IOWA-GRANT (fg-ft-tp) 53: Johnson 4-3/3-12, Anderson 7-0-14, Hill 4-0-11, Milliken 5-0-10, Price 1-0-2, Stuckey 1-0-2, Thomas 1-0-2. Totals: 23-3/3-53. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Price, Johnson. Three pointers: Hill 3, Johnson 1.
MINERAL POINT 69: Staver 7-1/2-15, Gorgen 1-2/2-4, Oellerich 8-11/14-27, Poad 3-2/2-15, Schmitz 2-2/2-8. Totals: 23-18/22-69. Fouls: 7. Three pointers: Poad 3, Schmitz 2.
