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Iowa-Grant's mission after finding themselves trailing Southwestern by 17 at halftime was clear.
They had to put on one heck of a run...and they almost got it done.
The Panthers outscored the Wildcats 35-23 the second half but still fell a little short, losing 59-54. It came down to fouls and free throws as that is how most close games are decided.
But you can't fault the effort.
Isaac Hill, shut down the whole first half, scored all 11 of his points the second 18 minutes. Alex Popple also totaled 11 and finished with 13 to lead the Panthers. Reid Lundell added 11 for the night.
The Wildcats were efficient from the free throw line, making seven of nine down the stretch. Ray Runde was three for five and Anthony Martin made both of his the last 18 minutes.
Runde put in 15 points to pace the Wildcats and Pearson Kephart added 13. Jase Mess and Colson Splinter rounded out the scoring with 12 and 11.
"We did a good job coming back from being down 17 at halftime," said coach Ryan Hill. "We struggled at the free throw line, missing five of eight, and that was the total we were behind at the end."
Hill said the Panthers ran their offense and got good looks the first half but could get nothing to fall.
"The shots just would not drop," Hill added. "We did a better job shooting the second half and played pretty well overall."
"We battled," Hill added. "That is all you can ask in high school basketball."
The Panthers got the score down to two in the closing minutes but had to foul, allowing Southwestern to put the game away at the line.
"Southwestern has a solid team," Hill added. "We played OK against them,"
SCORE BY HALVES
Southwestern 36 23 59
Iowa-Grant 19 35 54
BOX SCORE
SOUTHWESTERN 59: (fg-ft-tp)
Kephart 5-2-13, Reiff 1-0-2, Runde 6-3-15, Runde 6-3-15, Martin 1-2-4, Mess 5-0-12, Col. Splinter 5-1-11, Brotzman 1-0-2. Totals 24-8/10-59 Fouls-10
IOWA-GRANT 54: Lundell 4-0-11, Laufenberg 1-0-2, Hill 4-2-11, Oyen 1-0-2, Popple 6-1-13, Schmitz 2-0-5, Steffl 3-0-8, Achenbach 0-0-0, Kohlenberg 1-0-2 Totals 22-3/8-54 Fouls 12 Fouled out-Steffl
3 point goals:
SW-(3) Mess 2, Kephart 1
I-G-(7) Lundell 3, Hill 1, Schmitz 1, Steffl 2,