Newton boys down Nevada, deny tying shot late

Foul or defend?

That was the question for Newton head boys’ basketball coach Jason Carter and his staff in the final seconds of the Cardinals’ non-conference matchup against Nevada on Monday.

In a game that featured 19 lead changes, the outcome came down to the final seconds and Carter chose to defend with his squad up three.

“I have seen that work out a lot, but I’ve also seen teams lose like that,” Carter said about fouling or defending with his team up three. “My personal strategy in that situation is to just defend and make them take a difficult shot. It wasn’t a set look.”

With the game on the line, Nevada gave the ball to Jacob Khounsourath and his attempt at a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds was off target and the Cardinals escaped their home floor with a 64-61 victory.

The game was tied at 33-all at halftime and 45-all after three quarters. Neither team led by more than seven. The difference stayed within five points for most of the night.

“I didn’t think we played as well as we’re capable of, but we found a way to grit it out even though there were times when things didn’t go well,” Carter said. “I was happy with how we battled and found ways to make baskets. That team can really shoot. They’re a good team.”

Nevada made 10 treys in the game, and the Cubs recovered from a 7-0 hole to start the game. They also trailed by seven late in the third before rallying to force a tie through three.

Christian Lawson scored 10 of his 13 points in the first quarter. Five of those opened the game and his eighth point made it 10-6.

The Cubs rallied to take a small lead after one because they ended the frame on an 11-6 run.

Nevada’s biggest lead of the game was four after John Nelson buried a 3 to start the second.

Cade Bauer answered with a triple of his own and Nate Lampe made a pair of treys in the frame that helped keep the hosts in front.

The lead grew to six after Hunter Teague scored inside, Bauer buried a jumper and Caleb Mattes scored on a drive to the hoop.

Khounsourath answered with a pair of triples and Nelson canned a pull-up jumper to keep it close and Caden Klein ended the half with a steal and a layup.

With the game tied at 38-all in the third, Newton created separation again with a 7-0 run that included a free throw and a layup by Lampe.

Mattes, who scored two points in the first half, opened the third with another drive to the basket and a 3. His two free throws started the 7-0 run, but Nevada finished the quarter on its own 7-0 spurt to keep things tied after three.

The fourth belonged to Mattes. He simply refused to let his team lose.

His drive to the bucket made it 49-48 and another layup put Newton in front 54-53. After Klein put the team back in front with a 3, Mattes scored inside twice in the final minutes. His second bucket during that stretch made it 61-58 with 29 seconds to play.

Nelson buried a trey with 9.1 seconds to go, but the Cardinals made just enough free throws in the closing seconds to hold off the Cubs.

“The seniors really stepped up,” Carter said. “In those close games, you just have to find a way to win. I was happy we were able to make some plays and hit some free throws down the stretch.”

Klein guarded Khounsourath on the final possession. The Nevada senior’s final shot was a bit off balance as Klein battled through a few pump fakes and head jabs.

“We had a lineup out there who could put pressure on the perimeter, and I just decided to let it play out. It worked out,” Carter said. "

Mattes scored 16 of his team-high 18 points in the second half. Nine of those came in the fourth quarter.

“I was trying to move the ball around and see how that went in the first half,” Mattes said. “It was a close game in the second half so I just tried to get downhill and do what I could to help us win.

“They called a couple of plays for me and then after that I just kept going.”

The Cardinals are 6-3 against Nevada since 2012 and the win on Monday was their third straight in the series.

Mattes led Newton with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Lampe scored six of his 13 points in the second quarter and added five assists and two steals, Lawson registered 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals and Klein chipped in 13 points and three boards.

Bauer posted five points and five rebounds off the bench and Teague corralled two rebounds.

The Cardinals (5-8) shot 47 percent from the floor, made 8-of-20 from 3 and connected on 6-of-11 from the free-throw line. They also turned the ball over only eight times.

“That makes us a pretty unique team that will be a tough out down the stretch,” Carter said about the balanced scoring. “That’s something that will play to our advantage. You can’t just take away one or two guys.”

Nelson finished with 22 points and Khounsourath scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half. Alec Higgins also reached double figures with 11.

Nelson blocked several shots and got Mattes a few times inside the lane. That didn’t stop the Cardinal senior from challenging Nelson again on later possessions.

“You’re going to get swatted. You just have to keep playing,” Mattes said. “I probably could have kicked some of those out, but I also think playing inside fits my game the best. I just try to take advantage of my strengths.”

Pella Christian 51, Newton 39

The Cardinals’ lowest scoring output of the season resulted in a 51-39 home loss to Pella Christian on Tuesday.

The Class 2A No. 7 Eagles used a big second quarter to grab a double-digit lead at halftime and never looked back in a Little Hawkeye Conference matchup.

The Eagles’ 51 points were the fewest they’ve scored in a win this season, but the visitors shot 49 percent from the floor and had a seven-point advantage at the foul line.

Newton trailed 13-10 after one and was outscored 16-9 in the second and 12-7 in the fourth. The Cardinals won the third 13-10, but it wasn’t enough.

Mattes led the Cardinals with 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals but no other Newton player reached double figures.

Lawson finished with seven points, seven rebounds and two assists, Klein added seven points, six rebounds and two steals and Lampe tallied five points, three rebounds and two assists.

Christian Ergenbright scored three points and Bauer dished out two assists.

The Cardinals (3-7 in LHC play) shot 40 percent from the floor, made 4-of-15 from 3 and connected on 3-of-7 from the foul line. They turned the ball over 15 times.

Tysen De Vries and Josiah Vos both scored 15 points for the Eagles, who were 10-of-12 from the foul line and 3-of-10 from 3. Pella Christian (13-4, 6-3 in the conference) completed the season sweep of the Cardinals, and the Eagles have won four of the past six and six of the previous nine games in the series.