Southwestern struggles to maintain momentum in pair of losses at Hoops for Hope event

MORRISTOWN -- One of Southwestern’s better eight minutes of the season was too little to overcome Indianapolis Herron Saturday at the Hoops for Hope event at Morristown High School.

The Spartans trailed 45-29 with eight minutes to before doubling its scoring output of each of the first three quarters. Four made three-pointers helped cut the lead to nine twice but they could get no closer and fell to 0-6 this season.

“We had a great stretch there in the fourth quarter where guys were fighting and playing hard and doing so well, and we have one rotation that doesn’t get made and a guy hits an open shot, or they take the shot we want them to take and we don’t block out and rebound and they get a put back,” said Southwestern head coach Chris Ingels. “Little things killed our momentum when we had things going are way.”

Herron and Southwestern struggled in the first quarter late Saturday afternoon in the new fieldhouse at Morristown Elementary School. The Achaeans built a 13-10 lead then settled in for a strong second quarter.

Jeffrey Allen, C.J. Stephens and Mason Young each hit 3s in the second quarter, the Achaeans made 7 of 13 field goal attempts and committed just one turnover to take a 31-20 halftime advantage.

Southwestern tried to be physical in the low post but struggled to convert, drove into the lane but struggled to convert, and got open looks at 3s and failed to convert.

“We haven’t shot it well yet … not as well as we are capable of here early on in the season,” said Ingels. “We put so much pressure on our offense when we have so many little breakdowns, or we turn it over, or we have great offensive possessions and get to the free throw line and miss free throws. Turnover run outs and we don’t get back. One guy does not get matched up.

“It’s all kind of little things that create that long run. We have some good plays during that stretch, and we just don’t execute on them. Those are backbreakers for us.”

All 14 of Herron’s third-quarter points came from players that did not start the game. The Achaeans’ bench produced 29 points, eight rebounds and four assists to contribute to the win.

Stephens finished with a game-high 19 points and 11 rebounds – seven points, seven rebounds, a steal, an assist and a block in the fourth quarter helped keep Southwestern at bay.

Allen and Josiah Clarke each scored 10 for Herron (2-6).

Mitchell Clements led Southwestern with 18 points and seven rebounds. Dusty Stevens finished with 10 points. Cecil Newton and Landon Drake each had seven points.

Southwestern lost to Milan, 66-43, in its opener Saturday morning. The Indians led 36-28 at halftime then outscored the Spartans 17-3 in the third quarter to secure the win.

Clements had 14 points to lead the Spartans. Newton scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter.

Micah Norman topped Milan (2-3) with 22 points. Gabe Riehle had 16 and Josh Pettit finished with 13.

Southwestern will host Mooresville Christian (3-2) on Jan. 3.

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