NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho took a one-point advantage into the second quarter before McDonald County opened with a double-digit run before taking a commanding 19-point lead by halftime in an 80-64 victory over the Wildcats on Friday for the Mustangs’ fifth straight win.
“It wasn’t the best quarter we’ve had,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said of his team’s play in the second period. “But at the same time, McDonald County hit a lot of shots and played really well. We eventually cut the lead to five after being down 19, but I think we just ran out of gas.”
Following a back-and-forth first quarter that saw Neosho (10-7) on top 17-16, McDonald County (7-9) opened the second period with a 12-0 run to take a double-digit lead less than three minutes into the period.
“A lot of turnovers and quick shots (by us),” Culp said when asked what led to the Mustangs’ second-quarter run. “They hit lots of good shots, too. I have to give them that. They also have a good half-court press. Not only does it make turnovers happen, but it makes you take shots you normally wouldn’t.”
Cross Dowd started the second with a driving score to give the Mustangs the lead before knocking down a 3-pointer to make the score 21-17 at the seven-minute mark. Cole Martin and Pierce Harmon added two free throws each before Martin sank a 3-pointer from the wing to give McDonald County a 28-17 advantage with 5:26 on the clock.
After Neosho’s Landon Austin earned a steal for a score on the break at the other end to trim the lead to nine, Garrett Gricks scored inside and drew contact for a three-point play before grabbing an offensive rebound for a put-back score. Harmon knocked down two charities to push the lead to 37-21 with 40 seconds left in the half.
Harmon closed out the first half with a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put Neosho into a 42-23 hold by the intermission.
Neosho made a charge in the third quarter, using an early 12-2 run to trim the lead to single digits with four minutes off the clock, 46-37. Dalton Brodie had six points, including a pair of offensive boards for put-backs, while Chase Flynn also had six, including a layup on the break following an Isaiah Green steal to close the run.
“It was an intense conversation (at halftime),” Culp said. “They were playing harder than us. I was proud of our kids for fighting back. If you are down 19 and you cut it to single digits, that’s good. We just have to find a way to stop the bleeding quicker.”
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Austin picked up his fourth foul shortly after and was forced to the bench for the remainder of the quarter. Neosho was able to maintain the pace through the end of the third, heading into the final eight minutes trailing 55-47.
“I think Chase played great tonight,” Culp said of Flynn’s play particularly with Austin off the floor. “We just need less turnovers, and that’s going to happen because we play two or three sophomores. If one of our seniors gets into foul trouble, we are going to be in trouble. That showed tonight.”
Noesho cut the lead down to five, 55-50, off an Austin drive near the 6:50 mark of the fourth quarter. After the Mustangs converted on the other end, Austin picked up his fifth foul with 6:17 left. From there, McDonald County went on a 10-1 run to build a 67-51 lead while stealing the momentum for the final time in the game with five minutes to play.
“The wind really came out of our sails when we cut it to five and Landon fouled out with them going to the free-throw line,” Culp said. “One thing that Landon does, he slots people into positions to be successful (offensively and defensively) when he, or any senior is on the floor. … It’s pretty apparent when Landon, or any senior, comes out, it puts us in a flux a little bit.”
SCORING LEADERS
Flynn led Neosho with 21 points, while Brodie finished with 16. Austin eight in the first half and finished with 13, with Green closing with 12.
Dowd led McDonald COunty with 21 points, while Eli McClain scored 16. Harmon finished with 13 and Martin added 11.
UP NEXT
Neosho hosts Carl Junction on Tuesday.
