Hilltoppers defeat Illini Central 66-53 in the Bill Rucks Tournament

[November 24, 2021]   The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers opened their 2021-22 basketball season at home on Monday night with a 66-53 win over Illini Central in the 11th Annual Bill Rucks Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament.

The Hilltoppers led 16-6 after the first quarter and took a 27-25 lead into the locker room at the half. Mount Pulaski held a 41-40 advantage over the Cougars as the two teams headed into the final quarter.

The Hilltoppers shot the lights out in the fourth quarter, led by Lane Murphy pouring in 14 points. Aidan Schneider fired up the crowd with his 9 points in the fast-paced fourth quarter. The Hilltoppers really began to run away with the game around the 4:00 mark, as the bench and the fans in the stands went crazy.

Mount Pulaski marched to their first win of the season with a 66-53 victory over Illini Central.

Lane Murphy led Mount Pulaski with 22 points. Aidan Schneider finished with 19 points. Evan Cooper added 10 points for the Hilltoppers.

Eli Baker led Illini Central with 23 points and Zach Entwistle added 15 points.

Mount Pulaski will play Clinton tonight at 8 p.m. in the tournament.

Scoring

Mount Pulaski 66
 

Murphy 22
Schneider 19
Cooper 10
Aylesworth 9
Fricke 4
Tyson 2

Illini Central 53

Baker 23
Entwistle 15
Rose 7
Dietrich 6
Cuomo 2

[Teena Lowery]