Cincinnati, Ohio—In the Friday version of Mount hoops, the Lions hosted the Panthers of Hanover College. This game is the regular season for both teams. For the Lions, this game had everything riding on it, as they would need a win and help from other Heartland Conference schools to qualify for the HCAC tournament. Additionally this would be the second half of the season series, in which the top ranked Hanover hung on, beating the Mount 77-72. This game saw the Lions fall short 79-70.
The Panthers would need only three minutes of play to jump ahead 11-0, scoring it early and often. Evan Wiehe would finally take the lid off the bucket for the Lions, knocking down a jump-shot on his first attempt of the evening. This would be followed by Alex Totton connecting on the first deep ball of the game and Wiehe would do the same on their next possession. However this would be the end of the scoring for the team, as Hanover continued to score the ball at an alarming rate.
Following another offensive struggle, the Lions put together a scoring run as the Senior Devin Young would finish a layup. After a stop by the defense, the Lions would establish a long possession, grabbing multiple offensive boards, before Brady Thomas hit a three-pointer. Hanging around a 12 point defecit the entire game the Lions would resume their climb back into the game, when Young would feed Jack Kolar behind the arc, this would bring the score to 32-21 with 3:42 remaining in the first.
Thomas and Young would narrow the gap even more, in the closing minutes of the half. The Senior pair would each knock down a three. Hanover would respond in strong fashion scoring four unanswered. Thomas would send the team into the break on a high note, as the shot clock and game clock matched, he would slow the pace of the game for the final shot. One on one with a defender at the top of the key he would crossover, sending the defender flying before knocking down a sweet jumper off the right elbow. This would see the game enter the break 40-29.
To start the second half, David Luers would come up with a huge steal that would lead to him feeding Tanner Clos for a deep ball. Within eight point for the first time sense the opening of the game, the shooting of the Lions would propel them on a huge run, Young would find Kolar in the corner for three, and after a stop the senior drive the lane for a layup. The Panthers would not go away finding ways to match the each score. This would see the first media timeout of the half the Mount would be trailing 48-40.
Out of the timeout Willard Cluxton would feed Young for a deep ball. Hanover would respond with a fast break score, before the big man would knock down a jumper on the left wing. He continue his massive takeover with a steal he took coast to coast. Now, only a three point game Hanover would knock down a huge three-ball to keep the Lions at arms length. This saw the Lions turn to Young for a bucket, then forcing a stop Luers would drive the lane and finish an acrobatic reverse layup. Continuing the stingy defense, another stop would restore momentum to the Mount, as Cluxton would feed Kolar in the left corner for a deep-ball that sent the Lions ahead 54-53.
With the packed Harrington Center the Panthers continued to struggle with the pressure of the Mount defense. Young would make it a three point game, as he drove the left side of the lane, hesitating for a moment to free himself and finishing at the rim. This established back and fourth action, as Hanover would convert the old-fashioned three-point play. Lures would answer the bell, as Young drew a double team deep in the post that would free the guard for a three-pointer. A five point run by the Panthers saw them take a two point lead. Hanover would open their lead back to five with a huge three-pointer. With five minutes to play they would leave 66-61.
Coming out of a timeout Hanover would extend their lead with a physical put-back. The run of the Panthers would end, when Young found a cutting Clos for a layup. After a stop, Young would feed Clos again, and a three pointer by Young aid in the Lions comeback attempt.
Under one minute to play, down 72-67 the Lions would come out of the final media timeout in a full court press but gave Hanover a free attempt at the rim that they would finish and knock down the and-one attempt. A steal by the Panthers would push their lead to 10, before Young connected from deep with 11 seconds to play. This would see the Lions fall short in their hard-fought battle 79-70.
In the final game of the regular season several Lions turn in impressive performances in their comeback efforts. Young's evening was truly what gave the team an opportunity to stay in the game, scoring 23 points on 10 of 16 shooting while adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Thomas turned in 13 points, while Kolar added 12 points. The senior combo of Clos and Luers were not far behind. Clos turned in nine points and seven boards while Luers added five and three assists.
This game concludes the regular season for the Lions. For continued coverage of MSJ Athletics, continue to follow msjlions.com
