Chiefs rally from 13-point deficit to tie game, but falter down the stretch for 59-56 loss to Arrows
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Bellefontaine’s Dawsin Tillman takes a shot during the first half of Friday’s home game against Tecumseh. |
Bellefontaine’s boys basketball team made a gutsy comeback against visiting Tecumseh on Friday, but could not get over the hump down the stretch.
The Chiefs trailed by 13 points in the first half before rallying to tie the game in the second half. The Arrows refused to let Bellefontaine get in front as they held on for a 59-56 victory.
Bellefontaine suffered its fourth straight defeat to fall to 4-7 overall and 1-4 in the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail division. The Arrows, who lead the KT division with a 5-0 mark, are now 10-2 overall.
“We didn’t take care of the basketball in the first quarter and that led to some easy points for them,” said BHS head coach Henry Stolly. “I was proud of our kids for battling back to put themselves in a position to win the game in the second half. We had a few possessions late in the game where we were not able to get into our offense.”
Darius Quisenberry, one half of the dymanic Quisenberry duo for the Arrows, made a pair of free throws with 11.5 seconds remaining to give the Arrows a three-point cushion.
Bellefontaine was unable to get a shot up on its final possession.
“We were trying to get a hand off back to one of our guards,” said Stolly. “We were able to get the ball to Jacob (Rogan), but they doubled him and we were unable to pass the ball out of the trap for a final shot.”
Malik Quisenberry, a senior guard, led the Arrows with 19 points and hit the 1,000-point mark for his career, while his younger brother Darius, a sophomore, finished with 14 points.
“I thought we did a pretty good job on them, but give them credit,” said Stolly. “They are very talented and Malik really stepped up and hit some big shots in the second half for them. He played like you would expect a senior to play with the game on the line.”
Bellefontaine was bit by the turnover bug, committing 16 on the night.
“We have had trouble with turnovers throughout the season, and that hurt us tonight,” said Stolly. “We took better care of the ball during the middle part of the game, but then had some key turnovers in the fourth quarter. That is something we have to improve on over the second half of the season.”
The Chiefs have hit a challenging part of the schedule and the result has been a four-game skid.
“We have to remain positive, and that starts with me,” said Stolly. “I told the guys after the game that I am not giving up on them. We have to keep pushing forward and keep our focus. There is a lot of basketball left.”
Junior forward Hayden Nease led the Chiefs with 15 points and sophomore center Spencer George had a strong outing with 14 points. Dawsin Tillman and Jacob Rogan had nine points apiece.
“I thought Hayden and Spencer did a nice job inside tonight,” said Stolly. “They gave us a good spark with their hustle and effort.”
In Friday’s junior varsity game, Tecumseh hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win 37-35. Drew Benton had 10 points to lead Bellefontaine.
Tecumseh won the freshman game 40-38. Aaron Malarkey paced the Chiefs with 15 points.
The Chiefs return to action Tuesday at Marysville.
TECUMSEH 59
BELLEFONTAINE 56
TECUMSEH (10-2, 5-0)
Martin 1 0-0 2; Mastin 2 0-1 4; Green 1 0-0 3; Magsaxsay 2 0-0 4; M. Quisenberry 7 2-2 19; D. Quisenberry 5 3-5 14; Warren 5 0-1 10; Craen 1 1-1 3. Totals: 24 6-10 59.
BELLEFONTAINE (4-7, 1-4)
Nease 6 3-4 15; Rogan 3 2-2 9; Miller 3 0-0 6; Clement 1 0-0 3; Tillman 4 0-0 9; George 7 0-0 14. Totals: 24 5-6 56.
Arrows 25 7 11 16 — 59
Chiefs 13 13 15 15 — 56
Three pointers: Tecumseh 5 (M. Quisenberry 3, D. Quisenberry, Green); Bellefontaine 3 (Rogan, Clement, Tillman).