Mustangs fall to Anderson in overtime

GOSHEN – The North Oldham Mustangs followed their recent script to a T with one exception – they didn’t win. NOHS overcame a pair of second half double-digit deficits Monday against Anderson County, only to fall 75-73 in overtime to the Bearcats. “This was a game that could have been a blowout if our kids didn’t react in the right way,” NOHS coach Danny Edelen said. “I am just really proud of the way we battled back.” Anderson led 64-54 as late as 2:53 left in the game and led by 15 points at just before the close of the third period with NOHS managing to get back into the game both times. Just as the Mustangs did in earlier games against some of the region’s best this year, they got big plays from starters like Alex Foley and career games from Dale Tingle and Clay Watson off the bench. Watson came in to hit four of five three-pointers and finish with a team-high 19 points while Tingle came in for 13 points and four blocked shots. “Those two guys were just huge,” Edelen said. “They are making us so much better right now.” In the end, however, it was the imposing physical strength of the Bearcats’ inside players in 6-foot-4 C.J. Penny and 6-foot-4 Jacob Russell that carried the day. Penny finished with 28 points and 15 rebounds while Russell had 23 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late in overtime. “They are just flat out strong kids inside,” Edelen said. “We tried to make adjustments to stop them inside, but there were times they just physically were too much.” NOHS sent the game into overtime when sophomore Alex Foley buried a three-pointer from the top of the key with 6.1 seconds left to tie the game at 67. Anderson struck first in overtime 10 seconds in to lead 69-67 with a couple of free throws from Ryan Wells. NOHS couldn’t answer when Tingle shot a four-foot turnaround airball from the corner. That led to a fast break and follow shot from Penny that put the Bearcats up 71-67. NOHS’ Mike Rowan cut into the margin with a drive through the lane to make it 71-69 with 2:43 left. Anderson went up 72-69 off a free throw from Seth Goodlet. tingle came back to cut the lead to one with a post-up shot in the lane before Wells made it 73-71 Anderson with a free throw at the 1:20 mark. NOHS tied the game with 38.7 seconds left when Kevin Christian broke by Penny at the key and hit a driving layin. The Bearcats got the game-winner with 24.7 seconds left when Goodlet hit a spinning shot in the lane.NOHS held for one shot, but Foley’s tightly contested scoop shot off a drive in the lane was partially deflected and came off the side of the rim with Penny grabbing the rebound. “We told our kids January was just about us playing our style with no adjustment and in February when we were going to face the best we would learn to make adjustments,” Edelen said. “This was a big test tonight and even though we didn’t win I think we passed.”ANDERSON COUNTY - 16 16 19 16 8 75 - Penny 28, Wells 10, Goodlet 4, Ruggles 10, Russell 23, 75.NOHS - 7 15 22 23 6 73 - Nate Goodson 5, Kevin Christian 13, Alex Foley 15, Mike Rowan 8, Clay Watson 19, Dale Tingle 13, 75.

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