In head coach Joe Leonard’s second opportunity to grab his 100th career win, the Tigers hosted the Westfield Shamrocks on Thurs., Feb. 4.
The first quarter was tight, with the Tigers edging out Westfield with an 11-10 lead. Seniors Lance Dollison and Cam Wolter led the way with four and two of Dollison’s points came on a breakaway slam after a steal.
There was more offensive action in the second quarter, with the Tigers going into halftime up 27-24. Wolter scored six more, finishing with 10 points. Junior Reid Stephens hit two threes as well.
“We’re just going to review the tape and try to get this fixed. We’ve got three games next week and we’re going to try our best to fix everything,” Wolter said.
In the third quarter, Wolter scored his 12th point, putting him past former guard Devin Chaudion as the team’s all-time leading scorer.
“It feels good. Obviously I thank my teammates and coaches for that for helping me get the ball in the basket so a lot of credit to them,” Wolter said.
The Tigers led 40-38 at the end of the third quarter.
It was tight from the start and the game ended that way, too. It was back and fourth up until the final seconds.
Westfield led 50-47 with 2:05 left but the Tigers hit back with two straight baskets taking a 51-50 lead with 1:38 left. Westfield scored and took a two-point lead before Wolter hit a three. Wolter was then fouled on the team’s next possession and hit one free throw, bringing the Tigers’ lead to 55-52.
The Shamrocks were fouled on their next possession, hit two free throws and brought the game to 55-54 with 21 seconds left. The Tigers hit another free throw but Westfield went down and hit a three-pointer with 6.3 seconds left.
Dollison then drove down the court, got fouled and hit two free throws taking a 58-57 lead.
Westfield had one last attempt to win the game, in the form of a half court heave. The shot missed, but Stephens fouled the shooter and he received two free throws. He hit both and Westfield won 59-58.
“It was a tough call. I definitely didn’t agree with that, but just like Coach Leonard said, it didn’t cost us the game,” Wolter said.
Wolter finished with 24 points and led the team.
The Tigers are now 8-9 and Anderson on Feb. 9.
