Switzerland County traveled to Seymour on a snowy Saturday night to take on Trinity Lutheran, and after three closely-fought quarters, the Cougars pulled away in the final period to claim a 50-41 victory.
The Pacers jumped out to an early 13-7 lead after the first quarter on the strength of strong play inside from junior Hunter Hayes, who accounted for eight points. Caleb Furnish had the other five for the Pacers, including a three-pointer.
The second quarter saw Trinity Lutheran take control, outscoring Switzerland County 14-8, which sent the teams to the halftime break tied at 21-21.
In that second stanza, Justin Green made his presence known inside with four points; while Zach Whitaker also had a basket and Hayes accounted for another bucket.
The third quarter saw both squads begin to get their offenses rolling, with the Cougars again topping the scoring by a 19-15 count.
Furnish did most of the damage in the quarter for the Pacers, connecting on two three-pointers and also making a pair of freethrows for eight points. Austin South also hit a three-pointer in the quarter; while Casper Stow had a basket and Hayes made a pair of freethrows.
Trinity Lutheran had a big quarter from Daniel Horton with seven points; Chad Stuckwisch had five; and Keegan Rebber added four.
The quarter put the Cougars out front by four points, 40-36, with a period to play, but the Pacers were within striking distance.
If the third quarter was filled with offense, the final stanza was sluggish, as Switzerland County would score just five points over the eight minute span; and Trinity Lutheran would just manage 10.
The Pacer points in that final frame came on a basket and a freethrow from Stow; and Furnish also made two freethrows.
But the 10 points for the Cougars was more than enough to hold off the Pacers, with Trinity Lutheran winning by a final score of 50-41.
Furnish led Switzerland County with 15 points on the night; and Hayes had an outstanding game, finishing in double figures with 12 points. Stow had five points; Green finished with four; South added three; and Whitaker finished with two.
The Pacers played the game without the services of starting guard Dakota Fuller, who was out with an injury.
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In the junior varsity game, freshman Tyler Konkle turned in a tremendous effort to led the Pacers to a 66-54 win.
The freshman led the way with 16 points; and also pulled down 13 rebounds and dished out an assist.
Kyle Whitham had 13 points and five rebounds; and Andrew Youngblood was also in double figures, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Austin South had nine points and three steals in just one quarter of play; Zack Wainscott had six points, five rebounds, and two assists; Dalton Tingle had six points and five rebounds; and Justin Chatham added three points, three assists, and a steal.
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The Pacers return home tomorrow (Friday) night, when Switzerland County entertains New Washington for Homecoming; and then host Milan for a conference tilt on Saturday.
Switzerland County will then host Scottsburg on Wednesday, February 3rd; before embarking on a stretch of seven straight road games, beginning on Thursday, February 4th at Gallatin County (Kentucky).
The Switzerland County-Rising Sun game at was to be played on Friday night at Rising Sun but was postponed due to winter weather will now be played at Rising Sun on Tuesday, February 23rd.