The Switzerland County Pacer boys varsity basketball team won its fifth straight game on Saturday night with a 50-39 victory over Milan.
But it wasn’t without its struggles.
The Pacers got off to a slow start offensively, being outscored 7-1 in the first quarter – the lone Switzerland County point coming on a freethrow from Keegan Kincaid.
The Pacer offensive did start to click in the second quarter, as Switzerland County outscored Milan 12-9 over the second stretch of eight minutes, but still trailed the Indians 16-13 heading into the second half.
The third quarter told the story for Switzerland County, as the Pacers came out of the break red-hot, outscoring Milan 19-4 to take command of the game.
Trevor Smith had the hot hand in the third stanza, drilling two three-pointers on his way to eight third period points.
The three-point shot was a welcome weapon for Switzerland County in the game, as the Pacers made seven treys – three by Tyler Queen and two each from Trevor Smith and Keegan Kincaid.
With Switzerland County holding a 32-20 lead going into the fourth quarter, the final period was a foul-fest, as the Pacers went to the line 16 times in the final eight minutes alone, converting 11 of the attempts.
In fact, Switzerland County made more freethrows in the final period than Milan shot in the entire game.
Those freethrows, along with a three-pointer by Tyler Queen and baskets from Keegan Kincaid and Adam Clark, were more than enough as the Pacers moved out to a 50-39 final margin of victory.
Keegan Kincaid led the Pacers with 17 points on the night; and Trevor Smith finished with 13. Tyler Queen made it three Switzerland County players in double figures, as he finished with 11.
Adam Clark had four points; Alex Curran finished with three; and Quinn Meyer added two points to the win.
For Milan, Kurtis Kimla led the scoring with 15 points, including seven in the final quarter; and Braden Voss finished in double figures with 11.
The win, Switzerland County’s fifth straight, moves the Pacer record to 7-9 overall and a league-leading 3-0 in conference play.
That perfect conference mark will be put on the line this weekend, as the Pacers travel to South Ripley tomorrow (Friday) and then entertain Madison Shawe on Saturday.
The junior varsity games both nights begin at 6 p.m.
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In jayvee action, the Pacers lost to Milan by a score of 57-53.
Clint Swanson led Switzerland County with 16 points, eight rebounds, and three steals; while Braden Burk added 12 points and four boards. Austin Clark had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists in a monster game; and Tyler Queen finished in double figures with 10 points and four rebounds in just one quarter of play.
Hunter Jordan had two points and seven rebounds; and Alex Curran had two points and four rebounds.