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 Mount Pulaski opened the game on a drive by Beau Collier followed
by a baseline jumper by Michael Lowery which allowed the Toppers the
early 4-0 lead. Heyworth, who placed second in the state tournament
last year, quickly tied the game at 4-4. A free throw by Blake
Collier and a three by Dalton Litterly gave the Toppers the lead
back at 8-4. Beau Collier's bucket on the assist from Lowery gave
Mount Pulaski a 10-6 lead. At the end of one quarter of play Mount
Pulaski was on top 11-6.
Matthew Amidon came up big for the Toppers in the second quarter
scoring eight points and having one steal and one huge block. Big
man Peyton Taylor had four points in the quarter as he continues to
play a key role in the Toppers offense at 6'5. Lowery's volleyball
spike of the basketball also got the Mount Pulaski crowd fired up in
the second quarter as he went over one Heyworth player to get to the
shooter and simply annihilate the basketball. At the half Mount
Pulaski held a commanding 28-13 lead.
Good thing because as the Toppers have shown all season there seems
to be that one quarter that falls apart. This third quarter was it
for the Toppers. Foul trouble and simple missed baskets allowed
Heyworth to go on a 11-0 run and creep up on the Toppers 28-24
around the 5:00 mark. Beau Collier finally got the Toppers back in
the scoring column with two points on the assist from his brother,
Blake Collier. Beau Collier also scored on a layup following a steal
and the pass from Amidon to extend the Toppers lead 32-26. Taylor's
two point basket just before the end of third quarter action gave
the Toppers the 34-29 lead.
Heyworth was able to pull within three points, 34-31 early in the
fourth quarter. The Toppers, however, who were able to put together
a string of six points and widen the gap with a 40-31 lead. Heyworth
kept coming back and with 2:27 remaining in the game came within two
points, 47-45.
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Fortunately the Toppers sank four key free throws while Heyworth
struggled to score and the Toppers once again pulled away 51-45. A
basket by Heyworth with less than a minute to play kept the game
exciting at 51-47. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the game
Lowery turned the ball over but redeemed himself with the offensive
rebound. Heyworth quickly fouled Lowery and he went to the line
sinking both free throws. Heyworth had the final possession of the
ball but could not score and as the buzzer sounded Mount Pulaski
walked away with the 53-47 win.
Mount Pulaski's record overall on the season improves to 5-7.
Toppers scoring vs. Heyworth
Beau Collier 15
Amidon 9
Lowery 8
Taylor 8
Litterly 4
Aylesworth 4
Huff 3
Blake Collier 1
Stewart 1
[Teena Lowery]
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