LOUISBURG — After scratching and clawing their way to a slim lead, Iola High’s Mustangs were nearly done in by some errant free throw shooting.
The Mustangs were only 9 of 20 from the line at one point.
But Iola’s defense answered the call.
The Mustangs held Louisburg scoreless over the game’s final 2 minutes to secure a 54-46 victory, Iola’s first of the year.
The win comes in the second round of the Wildcat-Bulldog Classic. Iola returns to Louisburg Friday for their final tournament game, against an opponent to be announced.
For now, head coach Jay Applegate is content to reflect on a hard-fought win.
“The boys played hard with a lot of heart,” Applegate said. “Our defense was a lot better tonight.”
Some hot shooting from junior Isaiah Fawson didn’t hurt.
Fawson poured in 19 points, with most of the damage coming in the first half, when the Mustangs took a 24-18 lead into the break.
Louisburg turned the tables after intermission, opening the third quarter on a 13-3 run before Chase Regehr’s basket, Evan Sigg’s free throw and Ethan Holloway’s field goal knotted the socre at 32-32 late in the period.
The Wildcats ended the frame on a 4-0 run, answered by the Mustangs’ Joey Zimmerman’s 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter. Regehr’s field goal on Iola’s next possession gave the Mustangs a 37-36 advantage.
The teams traded the lead twice more before Iola’s Ben Cooper scored with 1:35 left to push Iola on top for good, 47-46.
Ethan Holloway hit the second of two free throws to push the lead to 48-46. Regehr repeated the feat seconds later.
Fawso, Holloway and Cooper then righted the ship from the line, combining to hit 5 of 6 charities in the final 42 seconds to clinch Applegate’s first win as IHS head coach.
Holloway added 10 points, Regehr 7, and Zimmerman, Sigg and Cooper added 5 apiece. Brett Taylor chipped in with 3.
Mitch McLellan and Grant Harding scored 13 apiece to pace Louisburg.
Mustangs earn 1st win of season
