Mount Pulaski's Dalton Litterly goes up for two of his team-leading 14 points in Friday night's 65-54 loss at Cerro Gordo.

Mount Pulaski drops to Cerro Gordo 65-54

[December 08, 2014]  MOUNT PULASKI - Mount Pulaski's Dalton Litterly goes up for two of his team-leading 14 points in Friday night's 65-54 loss at Cerro Gordo.

The Toppers traveled to Cerro Gordo Friday night for what was to be yet another tough matchup against a sharp-shooting non-conference opponent.

At the end of one quarter of play the Toppers trailed 15-9 and saw themselves in early foul trouble. Michael Lowery and Dalton Litterly each connected from long distance for three-pointers early in the second quarter to pull the Toppers to within a point, trailing 16-15.
 

However, the Toppers continued to be in foul trouble and eventually led 10-2 in that category. Not where you want to be for sure, especially when the Toppers were also struggling to get their shots to fall. In fact, the only shots that seemed to be falling were the threes and thankfully those kept the Toppers close. Brayden Curry dialed it in from long range for back-to-back threes to finally give the Toppers a 21-20 lead with 2:55 remaining in the second quarter. Cerro Gordo also had the hot hand from behind the arc and moments later they drained a three and got the foul to turn it into a four point play. The Toppers continued their tear from deep territory as Brett Huff drained a long three just before the end of the second quarter.
 

The Toppers headed to halftime trailing the Bulldogs 25-24. At the start of the third quarter the Bulldogs had possession of the ball and quickly scored to extend their lead 27-24. Beau Collier was able to make one free throw as he was fouled driving the lane to inch the Toppers closer 27-25. With 7:06 left in the third quarter Lowery would steal the ball and go all the way for two and a tie score at 27-27. He was also fouled on the shot and made the basket to put Mount Pulaski back on top 28-27. A nice move by Curry to cut through the lane for two points would enable the Toppers to maintain the lead 30-28. The Cerro Gordo crowd was loud and that certainly helped to pump up the players as the fast-paced third quarter score was quickly tied at 32-32.

A three would put Cerro Gordo up 35-32 but two quick buckets by Litterly and Mount Pulaski was back on top 36-35. Brett Huff would give the Toppers yet another lead with a nice move through the lane and his two points made the score 39-37. Foul trouble once again became a factor as Cerro Gordo made four free throws in the final seconds of the third quarter and held onto the 41-39 lead.

The fourth quarter just saw the Bulldogs fired up more on their home court and basically they outscored the Toppers 24-15. Beau Collier did manage to hit a three for the Toppers to keep their hopes alive as they still trailed 51-46. Brett Huff would also connect for two and keep the Toppers in the game 53-50, but once again foul trouble would play a significant role. While no Toppers fouled out, they did have twenty team fouls and therefore from time to time key players sat the bench. Curry hit his third three of the night to make the score 58-53 with 1:02 remaining. In the final minute Cerro Gordo outscored the Toppers 7-1 and went on to win 65-54.

The Toppers did have eight three-pointers as a team.

Dalton Litterly led the Toppers scoring with 14 points and Brett Huff was close behind in double figures with 12 points.

The Toppers record is now even at 3-3.

The Toppers return to action at home Tuesday night against Porta, a team that placed 4th in state last season.

Toppers scoring versus Cerro Gordo

Dalton Litterly - 14
Brett Huff  -12
Brayden Curry - 11
Michael Lowery - 9
Beau Collier - 4
Matt Amidon - 2
Peyton Taylor - 2

[Teena Lowery]