By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 11:06 AM CST

BONNE TERRE — A dominant stretch of basketball over the final five minutes helped North County avenge an earlier loss on Tuesday night while likely clinching a top-3 seed for the upcoming MAAA Tournament.

Junior reserve Spencer Tiefenauer sparked a pivotal 11-0 run with a pair of mid-range jumpers, and the Raiders were a perfect 9-for-9 overall from the free-throw line in a 48-42 triumph over Potosi.

Senior Derek Emily scored a game-high 13 points while Tanner Beers netted 11 and Seth Caldwell added 10 for North County (16-4), which previously fell to the Trojans 62-54 at the Central Christmas Tournament.

Potosi (12-8) knocked down eight 3-pointers while often controlling the tempo, and surged ahead 38-31 when senior Taylor Breakfield scored on a high-low entry pass with 5:33 remaining.

But the Trojans missed their next seven shots from the field, and yielded a pair of transition baskets in the process. Caldwell finished a 2-on-1 break with Beers, whose subsequent triple with 2:32 left put North County ahead 42-40.

Brian Jaco extended the lead with two clutch free throws, and Caldwell sank four straight to answer a Potosi layup during the closing minute, as the Raiders improved to 3-1 in the MAAA Large-School standings.

Breakfield compiled a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds to pace Potosi. Hunter Belfield had eight first-quarter points, including a timely three as the buzzer sounded to bring the visitors within 15-11.

Emily converted a three-point play and made a slashing layup early in the second quarter after North County looked inside to senior teammate Robbie Holland for three field goals in the opening minutes.

Potosi assumed its initial lead when 3-pointers from Devin Hampton and Dylan Eye highlighted an 8-0 spurt, and carried a 26-25 margin into the intermission despite nine first-half turnovers.

Both teams will complete their conference schedules on Thursday. The Raiders will travel to Fredericktown while the Trojans host Ste. Genevieve.

Potosi  11  15   8   8 - 42 

North County  15  10   6  17 - 48

SCORING:

Potosi - Taylor Breakfield 12, Hunter Belfield 8, Landon Young 6, Dylan Eye 6, Devin Hampton 5, Zach Gibson 3, Kevin Bach 2. 3-point FG - Young 2, Belfield 2, Eye 2, Hampton, Gibson.

North County - Derek Emily 13, Tanner Beers 11, Seth Caldwell 10, Spencer Tiefenauer 6, Robbie Holland 6, Brian Jaco 2. 3-point FG - Beers 3.