Mustangs use big 2nd half to run away from Aces

February 27, 2021 | 12:05 am

Updated February 27, 2021 | 12:25 am

Tyler Dixon | Owensboro Times

For the second year in a row, Muhlenberg County had Owensboro Catholic’s number as it was the Mustangs that grabbed a victory Friday night at the Owensboro Sportscenter in a meeting of two of the top teams in the 3rd Region.

After a narrow 21-20 lead at the half, Muhlenberg County held the Aces to just 12 points in the second half as they grabbed their 11th win of the season, 46-32.

Catholic only had four players score in the game and just two in double digits with Ji Webb finishing with 13 points and Brian Griffith added 11.

Aces coach Tim Riley said the Mustangs were the tougher team Friday night and there’s only one thing they can do now.

“Play another game,” he said. “It’s a game. Hopefully we’ll learn from it and move on. It’s not like you stop. Last year we lost our last four games and we won the region championship. It’s a learning experience. It’s all scrimmage games until the first round of the district then it’s another scrimmage game until the region tournament then they’re real.”

Both offense struggled out of the gate as Muhlenberg County carried an 8-6 lead into the second but both would find their rhythm in the second.

Despite outscoring the Mustangs in the frame, the Aces carried a one-point deficit into the break.

When the second half started, it was all Muhlenberg County with the Mustangs holding the Aces to just 12 points in the two quarter.

MC coach Kyle Eades was happy to get out the arena with the victory.

“Anytime you can come to the Sportscenter and get a win against Catholic, it’s a good win,” he said. “Owensboro Catholic has got a really good basketball team. Obviously they’re really well-coached and they’ve got two really tough matchups in Griffith and Webb. They’ve got really nice complementary pieces to go around them. I thought it was a good high school basketball game.

“We were fortunate to make some plays in the second half and stretched the lead out a little bit. Thank goodness we maintained that.”

Nash Divine led the Mustangs with 14 points while Cole Vincent also finished in double digits with 12 points.

Eades said it’s always a good thing when multiple players can contribute to a win.

“I could talk all night about that,” he said, “We talk about strength in numbers. When you have a game or you have one guy that’s maybe not having as good of a night, we’ve got other guys that we can count on to be able to step up and deliver. We’ve had that all year.”

Catholic plays at Hancock County Monday while the Mustangs are on the road today at Grayson County.

Muhlenberg County 46, Owensboro Catholic 32
MC (11-1) 8 13 18 7–46
OC (12-5) 6 14 7 5–32
MC: Nash Divine 14, Cole Vincent 12, Brayton Lovan 8, Donovan McCoy 6, Davion Sumners 4, Isaac Rose 2
OC: Ji Webb 13, Brian Griffith 11, Sam McFarland 6, Jari Barber 2

2021 basketball coverage is presented in part by Rhoads & Rhoads Attorneys at Law.

February 27, 2021 | 12:05 am

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