MAC men unable to track down rival Raiders
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POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – The Mineral Area men’s basketball team will make another stop at Region 16 rival Three Rivers next month with plenty to correct.
The Raiders collectively shot 52 percent from the field, and mostly forced the Cardinals into a half-court battle on Saturday while earning a 78-65 triumph.
Physical forward Johann Pautsch compiled 19 points with eight rebounds, and Matt Hampton provided 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting while playing all 40 minutes.
Three Rivers (15-5, 3-0) converted 20-of-25 free throws, and established its largest lead of 65-44 with 8:53 remaining after Allen Stoddard intercepted a perimeter pass and drew an intentional foul.
Mineral Area (12-7, 2-1) pulled to within 69-56 on consecutive 3-pointers from about 27 feet by Terron Garrett, who totaled 19 points, five rebounds and three steals.
Pautsch muscled his way to a 3-point play from the low post, and Hampton added a putback on the next possession to remove any comeback thoughts.
Tristin Fleming produced 14 points and three assists off the bench, and Drew Ward tallied 11 points as four Raiders landed in double digits.
Except for a couple of dunks by Nazir Allen and Maki Joyner that immediately countered Three Rivers baskets, the Cardinals were prevented from raising the tempo.
A 3-pointer by Jordyn Richard and mid-range jumper from Garrett gave Mineral Area a 9-8 edge, but a subsequent slam by Allen off a lob from Nassir Binion could not slow curtail the Raiders’ response.
Hampton scored twice while cutting toward bounce passes, and Ward connected from long range to help the home team create a 30-17 separation.
The Cardinals would not draw closer than seven points from there. They were 42 percent from the field and a solid 17-of-22 at the line.
Three Rivers enjoyed a 42-31 lead when an uncontested third-chance layup by Antonio Williams beat the halftime buzzer.
Allen netted 11 points, Iziah Purvey supplied eight off the bench, and Binion equaled Richard with seven each for MAC. Edwon Duling Jr. dished out six assists.
