The Switzerland County Pacers only missed six freethrows all game, but all of those came at the end of the fourth quarter and in overtime as the Pacers fell to New Washington last Friday night by a score of 58-56.
The loss ended Switzerland County’s five game winning streak.
The Pacers took a lead quick in the opening quarter with Kyle Green scoring to get things underway. T.J. Sefton connected on a couple buckets and a three-point shot; and Mark Sharp ended the scoring in the first period with a three-pointer to give the visiting Pacers a 16-7 lead.
The second quarter began with Aaron Moore scoring for the Pacers; and Travis Webster and Bryan Level each connected on three-pointers during the second stanza.
As fast as Switzerland County got started, the offense suddenly slowed just as quickly, as the Mustangs came roaring back to finish the half by outscoring the Pacers 17-11; but Switzerland County still held a 27-24 lead heading into the locker room.
The third quarter was a big one offensively for New Washington, as the Mustangs outscored the Pacers 11-4.
The period also saw fouls take a heavy toll on Switzerland County, as Pacer players were whistled for fouls that sent New Washington to the line several times, and those freethrows were the difference as the Mustangs pulled out to a 35-31 lead with a quarter to play.
In the fourth quarter the teams battled back and forth and tied the score several times. With one minute left, the Mustangs maintained their three-point lead, 48-45.
Kyle Green was sent to the line to add two points to draw the Pacers closer, but T.J. Sefton was whistled for his fifth foul, which sent a Mustang to the charity stripe, where he converted one of the attempts.
Cliff Meyer then connected on one of his freethrows; but two more New Washington freethrows gave the Mustangs a three-point lead with just seconds to go on the clock.
That’s when sophomore Kyle Green – who finished with a game-high 26 points – rifled in a long three-pointer at the buzzer that sent the game into overtime tied at 51-51.
In the overtime, the Pacers could not get an offensive spark going to take a lead.
Aaron Moore scored a point from the freethrow line and Cliff Meyer added a basket; but the Mustangs kept their momentum going and scored a basket and three more points from the charity stripe.
In the closing seconds of the overtime period Kyle Green once again scored to tie the game at 56-56; but the defense could not hold on for the win as New Washington scored a last basket to capture the win. 58-56.
Kyle Green was top scorer in the game with 26 points and 10 rebounds; while T.J. Sefton finished with 11 points.
Cliff Meyer had five points and 12 rebounds; and Mark Sharp finished with five points and six assists. Aaron Moore had three points and four rebounds; while Bryan Levell finished with three points. Travis Webster was held to only one three-point bucket; but he also had four rebounds, three steals and three assists.
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The jayvee team suffered a 44-40 loss to New Washington.
The top scorer for the jayvee team in double figures was Ryan Peters with 15 points, four assists, two rebounds and five steals. Justin Reagan had nine points, three assists, four rebounds and two steals; while Michael Haas finished with five points and five steals.
Daniel Welch wrapped up five points, two assists and one rebound; while Brandon Otter added three points, one assist and two rebounds. Devon Armstrong earned two points and two rebounds; and Clay Meyer finished with one point and one rebound.