LaPORTE – Plymouth’s Pilgrims dodged the bullet for as long as they could but in the end they fell in overtime to LaPorte’s Slicers 64-58.
The Pilgrims had a rough first half with some uncharacteristic numbers turning the ball over 10 times and surrendering 10 offensive rebounds, but still trailed by just one at the break. Rebounds would turn out to be a deciding factor in the game with the Slicers holding a 33-17 advantage at the end of the night.
“On the board that was one of our keys to the game,” said Plymouth head coach Ryan Bales. “Watching them on film they are undersized but they are strong down there. They had 10 offensive boards at the half, and we had 10 turnovers, and we’re only down one at the half. In the second half I think we only gave up two offensive boards and three turnovers.”
The Pilgrims did recover at the break but the Slicers were able to stretch their lead to five at the end of the first half and it appeared that might be enough. Protecting the basketball and spreading the floor appeared to be the LaPorte formula for a victory.
Nick Felke and Jack Barron had other plans.
Barron hit a crucial three in the waning moments – his only basket of the night – and Felke beat his man to the bucket for a game tying lay up. A phantom foul and a bizarre drive to the basket and passing up a lay in in the final seconds by LaPorte led to a bizarre regulation final 10 seconds that saw the Pilgrims tied with a chance to win.
“I think our kids battled back It wasn’t the finish we wanted,” said Bales. “They came out and scored to start the overtime I thought Nick took it strong to the basket down there – Cam had a great look at a three. The guys we wanted shooting the ball were shooting it. I think we did a great job of executing down the stretch. We showed a lot of composure.”
In the extra frame LaPorte scored first and Felke failed to finish a drive while Eveland couldn’t make a three point basket fall, after which the Slicers were able to stretch their lead enough to ride out the storm.
“We had some opportunities,” said Bales. “I think between Anders and Felke they got to the line 13 times we have to be able to capitalize on those and the rebounding is microscoped when you aren’t hitting shots.”
Plymouth is now 10-4 while LaPorte is 9-5 on the year.
Score by Quarters
Plymouth 8 23 37 52 58
LaPorte 12 24 41 52 64
Plymouth (58) – Neidlinger 0 0-0 0, Barron 1 0-0 3, Eveland 1 4-5 6, Carmichael 1 0-0 3, Felke 8 5-7 24, Anders 8 3-6 19, Friar 0 0-0 0, Davidson 0 0-0 0, Tharp 1 1-1 3. Totals 20 13-19 58.
LaPorte (64) – Dermody 8 5-5 21, Samuelson 0 7-9 7, Walker 4 3-4 14, Ashley 1 0-0 2, Strieter 2 5-6 9, Fulton 0 0-0 0, Senne 3 2-4 8, Ormsby 0 0-0 0, Dudek 0 0-0 0, Cooper 1 1-2 3 Totals 19 23-30 64.
3 Pt. FG – Plymouth 5-18 (Felke 3), LaPorte 3-10 (Walker3).
Rebounds – Plymouth 17 (Barron, Eveland, Anders 3), LaPorte 33 (Samuelson 5).
Assists – Plymouth 9 (Carmichael 3), LaPorte 7 (Strieter 3).
Steals – Plymouth 11 (Felke 8), LaPorte 7 (Walker 3).
Turnovers – Plymouth 13, LaPorte 15.
Fouls (Fouled Out) – Plymouth 23 (Carmichael), LaPorte 16 (Senne).
