In a week that would see the Nevada Tigers play 4 games in 5 days, they would end the week on a positive note. After dropping the first 3 games, the last one by 1 in the final seconds, the Tigers were ready to come out and get their record back on track. Coach Gray mentioned that “some teams might lack motivation and enthusiasm for an early morning 7th place game, but not our guys. We understand the importance of doing things the right way and giving it your all, regardless of the circumstance. We came out playing hard and not feeling sorry for ourselves. I appreciate the leadership of our upperclassmen to set the tone for our entire team.”
After a late night on Friday, the Tigers wouldn’t have a lot of time to think about their busy week as they were set to play at 11:30 Saturday morning in Frontenac. The Tigers would be facing an Owensville team that had also played some early physical games in the tournament and both teams wanted to end the weekend on a positive note. Nevada would win the tip and Riddick Shook would open up the scoring with a corner 3-pointer. Owensville would answer on their first possession with a drive and bucket for a score of 3-2. Kellen Braden would hit his first 3-pointer of the night, assisted by Brice Budd to double up the Nevada score and help the Tigers continue to build up their momentum. Riddick Shook would step up and do what he is best known for and that is knowing where to be to take the charge and set the tone that Nevada was ready to do the little things right to win the game. Owensville showed that they were not going to go away easily and answered with 2 buckets of their own to tie the score back up at 6 all. A Uche Mba jumper and Kellen Braden 3-pointer would begin to get the Tigers going. The Dutchmen would get off a shot right at the buzzer from an offensive rebound to cut the Nevada lead to 2 at 11-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Owensville would open the second quarter with a bucket to tie the game back up at 11 and then a Tiger turnover would give the Dutchmen the opportunity to nail a bucket and take their first (and only) lead at 13-11. The Tigers began to fire from all cylinders with multiple Tigers ready to get the ball to the bucket. Jack Cheaney would begin the scoring with a teardrop to tie it back up, a Brice Budd steal and layup would follow and Nevada would regain the lead at 15-11 and never look back. A Kellen Braden 3-pointer, assisted by Brice Budd, from right in front of the Owensville bench in the very small old gym at Frontenac would get the Tiger fans on their feet! While both teams would make it to the free throw line, the Tigers were able to convert at a higher percentage helping them to continue building up their lead. With a minute left in the quarter, Owensville would knock down a 3 of their own, but it would be quickly answered by a Riddick Shook 3 off of an inbound play and would be followed up by another Brice Budd steal and lay-up to end the half with the Tigers up 30-17.
Kellen Braden would open the 3rd quarter for the Tigers with a 3-pointer (one of his 5 of the morning), and Jack Cheaney would add a jumper to extend the Nevada lead with just over a minute gone in the quarter. Gabe Smith would then find Kellen Braden for a lay-up as the Tigers began to shine with each player working hard for those 6 letters across the front of their jerseys. Owensville showed perseverance and grit of their own converting on a couple of very toughly-defended drives to the basket, but the Tigers were relentless on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Jack Cheaney would find the hot shooter in Kellen Braden for another 3-pointer and Nevada would get their first 20-point lead at 46-26 with just under 3 minutes to go in the quarter. Riddick Shook would go on to hit two of his five 3-pointers for the day, the first one assisted by Jack Cheaney, to continue to build the Tiger lead. Jack Cheaney would hit 2 free throws to end the quarter with Nevada up 55-31.
Riddick Shook would nail a 3-pointer from the top of the key to start the 4th quarter after great ball movement from the Tigers. He would later find Alex Ast who was posting up against the Owensville defender and would hit the basket while also absorbing a tough foul, and would still step up to hit the free throw for the old-fashioned 3-point play. With over 4 minutes to go in the game, and a score of 69-38, the turbo clock would begin running and the Tiger starters would find their way to the bench to cheer on their teammates to finish out the game. Montgomery Palmer would get a basket, and to finish things off the Tigers did a great job of breaking the Owensville press to find a wide-open Derek Hoffman who would make a great pass to a cutting Alex Ast for the bucket and a final score of 69-48.
3 Nevada Tigers would finish in double figures with Kellen Braden leading the way with 19, Riddick Shook added 15, and Brice Budd had 12. Jack Cheaney had 8, Alex Ast 5, Uche Mba and Gabe Smith each had 4, and Montgomery Palmer had 2.
After the game Head Coach Shaun Gray said “Our guys continued the great play on the defensive end, and today we were able to add several long balls to compliment that. Riddick Shook and Kellen Braden being able to stretch the defense made us hard to guard. Brice and Jack were able to penetrate the defense and Brice was able to spend a lot of time at the foul line. Our bench played well and gave us good energy.”
On some of the keys of the game, he added “We were able to mix man and zone to keep Owensville off balance. I was pleased with the way we broke the full-court pressure when Owensville tried to trap and press in the 2nd half.”
The Tigers will have a bit lighter schedule coming up for next week. They will start out with a home game on Tuesday against a very tough Carl Junction team and then will travel across 54 Highway to El Dorado Springs on Friday, which is always a fun match-up.
Be sure and follow your Nevada Tigers and Lady Tigers by picking up your copy of the Nevada Daily Mail!
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