After getting outrebounded by more than 20 in Allen County’s last game — a 103-75 loss to No. 8 Hutchinson — the Red Devils came away with wins both on the boards and in the game beating Cloud County 80-64 and out-rebounding them 43-37.
“I talked to the guys over the couple days about how big rebounding would be in this game because Cloud has two big rebounders,” Red Devil head coach Andy Shaw said. “I think they were fifth in the conference in rebounding as a team. We’ve been getting outrebounded lately and it’s tough to win when that happens.”
Allen’s focus and intensity were apparent from the start.
The Red Devils got out to an early 10-point lead thanks in part to sophomore guard Tyler Williams who hit some big threes on his way to co-leading the team with 18 points.
“Those threes were big because he hit them early and that’s what helped us start to build that lead in the first half,” Shaw said. “He was able to get us going and then he helped us close there late with a couple of and-ones and free throws. He had a good game.”
Fellow sophomore teammate Jacob Patterson was just as impressive. Patterson had a field day scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for a double-double. The 18 points were a season high.
“I think that was one of the best games of the season for him and one of the best of his career here,” Shaw said. “He had great energy. He played with a great motor. He missed a couple of buckets, but he was able to get the rebound and put it back in. He was big for us and he was very efficient.”
Allen County led by 22 at the half but more importantly they held a nine-rebound advantage to ensure a cushion.
Even so, the challenge to seal the win remained. The Red Devils have seen their leads disappear in the second half and it would be up to them to ensure that did not happen again.
“At halftime, I told them that we had no time to relax,” Shaw said. “It’s human nature to let down when you’re up by 22 at the half. Fortunately, we didn’t let down too much and we were able to hold on.”
Cloud never came any closer than 15 points. Every time the Red Devils felt the Thunderbirds gain some momentum, they upped their game, finishing with a 43.8 percent shooting percentage and only 10 turnovers.
“I was proud of our execution on the offensive end,” Shaw said. “When we trust each other and share the basketball and run the sets how they’re supposed to run, we can be pretty efficient. That was a big reason why tonight we were able to come away with a win.”
The Red Devils are now 6-10 and 4-8 in KJCCC play. The win marks the second home game in a row where Allen County has won convincingly against a team with a comparable record. Such a performance helps pave the way beaten that team showing that a strong finish could be ahead for the Red Devils when they make their way through the conference a second time starting next week.
However, they’ll first face Pratt who also sits at 6-10 so far this season but slipped down to 3-9 in conference play after losing at Cowley Wednesday night.
“Pratt’s a team that for the most part we’ve been tied with in the standings throughout conference play,” Shaw said. “It’s a big game for both teams before we make the turn to start the second half of league play. We know how hard it is to win on the road, we have to have the right mentality.”
PHOTO: Sophomore Red Devil Jacob Patterson glances at the court after getting fouled in Allen County’s 80-64 win over Cloud County on Wednesday. Patterson scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win. REGISTER/TIMOTHY EVERSON
