Mount Pulaski defeats Tri-City
51-47
[February 04, 2026]
Mount Pulaski was able to overcome a fourth quarter rally by
the Tri-City Tornados at home on Tuesday night. The Toppers came out
on top 51-47 thanks to some key baskets by Franklin Wade late in the
game and two clutch free throws from Keoni Charron with 3.5 seconds
left on game clock.
First quarter
Reed Martin came out strong in the paint for Mount Pulaski, scoring
the first six points and guiding the Hilltoppers to a 6-2 lead.
Franklin Wade and Austin Kretzinger would combine to put the Toppers
up 13-11 before the quarter came to an end.
Second quarter
Keoni Charron opened the second quarter with a three and after a two
by Kretzinger Mount Pulaski had their largest lead, 18-11. The
Tornados chipped away at the lead until Wade went on a run of his
own, pouring in seven unanswered points. His last turnaround jumper
in the lane put the Hilltoppers up 27-17. Martin’s drive before the
half ended put Mount Pulaski up 29-20.
Third quarter
The Tornados came out strong to start the third quarter, rattling
off three straight buckets to trim the lead to 29-26. By the time
the 5:00 mark was drawing near, it was a tie ballgame, 30-30 the
score. A minute later the Tornados were in front by two points.
Mount Pulaski fell behind by five points but then Wade took over
with three baskets. Martin also added another bucket as the
Hilltoppers were on a run. When the quarter closed Mount Pulaski had
regained the lead, 38-37.
Fourth quarter
The fourth quarter would be a battle til the buzzer. Tri-City
recaptured the lead. Then Deegan Tschantz’s bucket reclaimed the
lead for Mount Pulaski. After the lead went back in Tri-City’s
favor, the Hilltoppers used a 6-0 run to jump back in front 46-41.
With 1:11 left in the game the Tornados cut the lead to 46-45. With
56.9 left Wade’s baseline drive was good and a 48-45 lead was the
result. A trip to the free throw line allowed Tri-City to trim the
lead again, this time 48-47. The game was ultimately decided at the
free throw line with Wade dropping in one free throw with 11.7
seconds remaining and then with 3.5 seconds left Charron got the
opportunity to seal the win by swishing two shots. Time ran out on
the Tornados and Mount Pulaski celebrated a 51-47 win at home.
[to top of second column] |
Franklin Wade led Mount Pulaski with 25 points.
Mount Pulaski won the JV game 54-44 over Tri-City.
Kelten Olson led the Hilltoppers JV with 25 points.
Mount Pulaski will play at Arthur-Lovington on Saturday.
The JV game will start at 11:00 a.m. with the Varsity to follow.
Varsity scoring
Mount Pulaski 51
Wade 25
Martin 10
Kretzinger 9
Charron 5
Tschantz 2
Tri-City 47
Muir 19
Riley 11
Martincic 7
Roach 4
Nibbe 2
Martin 2
Clayton 2
JV scoring
Mount Pulaski 54
Olson 25
Charron 16
Seibert 10
Woodford 3
Tri-City 44
Tomlin 13
Lappe 12
Hildebrandt 6
Floyd 6
Murphy 5
Gott 1
Langloss 1
[Teena Lowery]
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