Loyalsock’s Anthony Pastore gets ready to guard a Montoursville player as he brings the ball up the court. Pastore managed to score four points in the game, but a late rally by Montoursville at the line proved to the difference. The Warriors knocked off Loyalsock 42-36.
Loyalsock’s Gerald Ross goes in for a difficult layup during a game against Montoursville. Ross scored 14 points, but was called for a late technical that helped Montoursville get back into the game.
Loyalsock’s Brandon Bauman goes in for a layup over two Montoursville defenders. Bauman scored three points in the fourth quarter as Loyalsock and Montoursville fought through four lead changes. The Warriors ultimately gained an edge to pull away for a 42-36 win.
By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
For the Loyalsock Lancers
MONTOURSVILLE—The final two minutes of Loyalsock’s Saturday night showdown against Montoursville featured clutch shots, timely fouls, and pressure-packed free throws.
Unfortunately for Loyalsock it was all Montoursville down the stretch as Owen Kiess hit eight consecutive free throws to ice the game, giving the Warriors a 42-36 win. The victory helped to avenge and earlier loss in the season, moving the Warriors to 13-5 (7-4). Loyalsock falls to 13-6 (7-3) with three upcoming road games.
“We never shoot well at Montoursville, but that’s no excuse,” Loyalsock coach Ron “CI” Insinger said. “We just never played at the pace we needed to play at to beat them. The ball movement was slow and we just didn’t get good looks at the hoop.”
Loyalsock struggled from the field throughout the opening half. The Lancers only managed to hit three of nine attempts through the opening eight minutes. That trend continued into the second quarter when they finished with just one bucket from the field.
Connor Watkins, who finished with six points, three rebounds, and a steal, grabbed a ball after a missed shot and quickly put it back for the Lancers lone made field goal of the quarter.
“We never once controlled the tempo of the game, well maybe a couple minutes in the last quarter,” Insinger said. “They controlled the tempo of the game. They had possession of the ball a lot more than we did.”
Loyalsock played a better third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 10-7 over the stretch. As a team, Loyalsock hit five of nine attempts for the field and played much better defense. Montoursville converted three of four attempts from the line, but only attempted four total shots as Loyalsock pulled within three of tying the game.
“They got back into the game,” Montoursville coach Mike Mussina said. “They played really well in the third quarter and the first part of the fourth. We got down and we were in a spot that if we didn’t play solid it couldn’t have really got away from us. We got a basket and got a little closer and a got a foul. The technical foul really helped us out. It was one of those games that it could have gone either way. We played well enough tonight and we’ll take it.”
Once in the fourth, both teams fought through four lead changes and one tie. Montoursville only hit two of three shots from the floor, but canned 11 of 14 shots from the foul line.
Kiess was outstanding for the Warriors down the stretch. Of his game-leading 20 points, eight came over the minute of the game. Kiess made all eight of his attempts from the line as Loyalsock attempted to foul to get back into the game. The fouls didn’t work as Kiess couldn’t miss from the line.
“He was deadly,” Insinger said. “He had the ball in his hands. They were smart about it. We had to foul at the end which made the margin larger. It’s just smart basketball.”
Kiess nailed two free throws with 55.8 seconds left moments after a technical foul was assessed to Ross. Kiess made both attempts to tie the game. Montoursville then scored on the ensuing possession to take a lead it would hold the reset of the way.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow and it has to stop,” Insinger said. “Unfortunately it came back to bite us tonight. Hopefully he’ll learn from it. It won’t bring back this game, but hopefully a life lesson will be learned here.”
Just four players scored for Montoursville on the night, but it was enough, especially after missing just six free throws. That total included just four misses over the final two quarters.
“They have really good players,” Mussina said. “We played hard and we played with energy at the end. We had a couple bounces go our way and made a couple free throws and that’s how we won the game. Sometimes you get the bounces and today was our day.”
Montoursville 42, Loyalsock 36
Loyalsock (36)
Brandon Bauman 1 2-3 4; Gerald Ross 6 2-2 14; Collin Graver 0 0-0 0; Anthony Pastore 1 1-2 4; Connor Watkins 3 0-0 6; Mitchell Klingerman 2 0-0 4; Bam Brima 0 0-4 0; Aiden Gair 0 4-4 4. Totals 13 9-14 36.
Montoursville (42)
Owen Kiess 4 11-12 20; John McCarthy 2 3-6 8; Dylan Bower 0 0-0 0; Tyler Reidy 1 0-2 2; Jason Good 0 0-0 0; Austin Loe 5 2-2 12. Totals 12 16-22 42.
LOY 8 6 10 12–36
MTV 10 10 7 15–42
3–Point Goals: Loyalsock 1 (Pastore). Montoursville 2 (Kiess, McCarthy).
Records: Loyalsock 13-6 (7-3). Montoursville 13-5 (7-4).
Next: Loyalsock at Jersey Shore, Monday, 7:30 p.m. Montoursville at Danville, Monday, 7:30 p.m.
JV Score: 51-49 Loyalsock
High scorers: Loyalsock: Tyler Herwig, 17. Montoursville: Young, 10.