Mount Pulaski boys basketball splits with Decatur LSA

[December 06, 2017]  The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers hosted Decatur LSA Tuesday night and the home team had hopes of avenging an early season loss to the Lions. Things looked pretty good for the purple and gold the first half.

Peyton Taylor had 12 of the Hilltoppers 14 points in the first quarter, even though Mount Pulaski trailed 21-14 at that point.

A strong second quarter by the Hilltoppers allowed them to take an 11-point lead into the locker room. Gezus Oliver had 14 points alone in the second quarter to lead Mount Pulaski. Taylor poured in another six points in the second quarter to bring his total up to 18 points at the half. Mount Pulaski was on top 36-25 at halftime.

The third quarter would be a different ballgame. Taylor managed to hit just two free throws before he would leave the game with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile Decatur LSA had already hit the court running and they took advantage of every opportunity. The Lions outscored the Hilltoppers 24-11 and by the end of the third quarter, Decatur LSA was on top 49-47.

The fourth quarter saw the Hilltoppers struggle with field goals and at the other end of the court, it was Decatur LSA pouring in 27 points.
With 2:00 minutes left to play in the game Mount Pulaski still trailed by three points and without Taylor on this night the Hilltoppers could not get the job done. Mount Pulaski loses again to Decatur LSA, this time by a score of 76-71.

Gezus Oliver led Mount Pulaski with 26 points. Peyton Taylor’s short night ended with 20 points scored for Mount Pulaski.

Mount Pulaski falls to 5-2 on the season.

The Mount Pulaski JV team did beat Decatur LSA 60-29. Joey Davis led the Hilltoppers JV with 14 points.

Varsity scores by quarter:

Mount Pulaski 14 36 47 71
Decatur LSA 21 25 49 76

Mount Pulaski (71)

Oliver 26
Taylor 20
Martin 9
Huff 7
Murphy 5
Kretzinger 3
Hayes 1

Decatur LSA (76)

Schaal 23
Guske 11
Todd 7
Heick 6
Kasten 14
Fiala 9
Walls 4
Urguhart 2

JV scores by quarter:

Mount Pulaski 15 30 46 60
Decatur LSA 2 14 17 29

Mount Pulaski JV (60)

Davis 14
Lawson 11
Murphy 11
Kirk 10
Kretzinger 9
Combs 4
Pharis 1

Decatur LSA JV (29)

Harshman 15
Jones 5
Havener 5
Ferguson 2
Blakeman 1
Crafton 1

[Teena Lowery]

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