Late rally lifts Falcons over Mikes, 44-38
Carmichaels’ Josh Mundell (11) scores against Brownsville down low in a non-section game at Carmichaels on Tuesday. (Photo by Holly Tonini)
Holly Tonini
Carmichaels’ Colton Yoders (24) attempts to dribble around
Brownsville’s Christian Floyd (44) as he straddles the end line
Tuesday at Carmichaels.
Holly Tonini
Brownsville’s Josh Mapstone (14) takes the ball to the basket
against the Mikes in Tuesday’s non-section game at Carmichaels.
Holly Tonini
Brownsville’s Jacob Bevard (34) goes up for a shot as
Carmichaels’ Cory Fuller (12) goes in for the block it during
Tuesday’s game in Carmichaels.
Holly Tonini
Carmichaels’ Brennan McMinn (23) shoots over Brownsville’s Tre
Durkin during Tuesday’s non-section game at Carmichaels.
CARMICHAELS — Brownsville heated up in the fourth quarter with a 19-point effort and prevailed, 44-38, against Carmichaels in non-section action Tuesday.
“In the first half we were flat and we let them dictate the pace of the game,” Brownsville coach Brian Brashear said. “Going into the fourth quarter, I told the kids we just have to win that one quarter and we caught the momentum at the right time. Hats off to Carmichaels, they played a great game, but our guys got it done when it counted.”
The Falcons (4-1) trailed 26-25 going into the fourth quarter, but outscored the Mikes (1-4) by a 19-12 margin thanks to relentless defense. Coming into the contest, Brownsville averaged 67 points per game, but was limited by a stout Carmichaels’ defense.
The Mikes held a 28-25 lead in the early stages of the final quarter, but the Falcons went on a 10-1 run that included treys by C.J. Gaddis and Josh Mapstone. Mapstone had seven of his team-high 15 points in the fourth quarter.
After a free throw by Brennan McMinn and a bucket by Brandon Lawless, Carmichaels trailed 37-35, but Brownsville hit seven-of-14 free throws in the final minutes to seal the win.
“We were rushing in the first half and taking a lot of low-percentage shots,” Brashear said. “In the fourth quarter, we worked the ball around and got some points on the inside and were more patient.”
Brownsville held a 9-6 lead after the opening quarter, but Carmichaels battled back to knot things up 14-14 at halftime.
“We were standing in front of them on defense and making them take some outside shots,” Carmichaels coach Don Williams said. “Fortunately for us, they were missing those shots and we were able to keep with them.”
The Mikes went on a 7-2 run to open the third quarter and went up 21-16, but the Falcons finally got their long distance shooting clicking. Mapstone and Cole Novotney hit from beyond the arc as Brownsville ended the third on a 9-4 run.
“Defense has always been the name of the game for us,” Brashear said. “Our guards played excellent perimeter defense tonight. We put a lot of pressure on their ball-handlers. Our low block defense was a little bit shaky at first, but we tightened up in the second half.”
Other scorers for Brownsville were Mike Murdock (nine points), Gaddis (six) and Christian Floyd (six). For Carmichaels, McMinn scored 10 points, while Lawless (nine), Josh Mundell (six) and Colton Yoders (six) rounded out the scoring.
“I liked how we competed tonight,” Williams said. “We are very young, and at times in the game we had five sophomores on the court. We just have to continue to learn and maintain our consistency.”
Both teams will be back in action at home today, as Brownsville hosts Our Lady of Sacred Heart and Carmichaels welcomes Chartiers-Houston.