The Rising Sun Shiners picked up their third straight win with a 55-39 win over the Milan Indians in a non-conference match up on Friday, Jan. 11th in Rising Sun. The two will play again in Milan on January 31st.
There was a near capacity crowd on hand as Rising Sun recognized past cheerleaders dating back to 1954. And the Shiners gave them plenty to cheer about.
The game opened with four lead changes in the opening quarter before senior Wes Rider made two free throws to give th Shiners a 12-11 lead then drew a charging foul taking that lead into the second quarter.
The defense, which allowed under 40 points for the second straight contest, continued as sophomore Landon Cole took another charge. Cole’s best overall night of the season continued with an offensive rebound to set up a Rider 3-pointer. Senior Jake Bovard buried a 3-pointer and TJ Manifold scored inside as the Shiners led by as many as seven in the first half. They led 22-16 at the break.
The cheerleaders got the crowd going with an echoing school song performance at the half.
The confident Shiner crew busted the game open in the third quarter with a barrage of 3-pointers including a pair by senior Nick Koons, one by Cole and another by Bovard. Add baskets by Koons and Manifold with assists from Bovard and senior Noah Pflum and the lead was up to 14 before heading into the final quarter up 38-27.
A 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 20 and secure the win.
Koons led the Shiners with 18 points and five rebounds. Bovard added 12 points with a team high four assists and four steals. Cole’s night included nine points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Rider had a team high seven rebounds to go with his five points and two steals. Manifold added five points and two boards.
Senior Noah Pflum (River Town Classic MVP) ran the offense finishing with four points and two assists while helping control the ball defensively with a pair of steals and three deflections. Max Bowne closed out the scoring with two points.
The Shiners were 16-for-27 from two point range for 55 percent plus 6-for-14 from -point range for 43 percent.
The Indians were led by Orrin Schmidt with 16 points followed by Carsyn Ascherman with nine, Josh Norman seven points, Matt Riehle three, Damon Ward three and Carter Wade two.
Rising Sun’s game at Morristown on Saturday was postponed until Tuesday, Feb. 19.
The Shiners open ORVC play as they travel to Switzerland County for the rubber match of the three game series and the Ruler of the River trophy. The Shiners travel to Hope on Saturday night to take on sectional foe Hauser.