Close Call
WEXFORD — After scoring just four points in the second quarter, defeating section leader North Allegheny meant that Butler would have to erase a double-digit halftime deficit.
And the Golden Tornado nearly pulled it off.
When junior guard Devin Carney completed a rare 4-point play with 55 seconds left, NA's lead was trimmed to just a single point at 75-74.
Mattix Clement then raced toward the basket after he stole the ball, but his off-balanced and contested layup did not fall and NA corralled the rebound.
Butler failed to score for the duration of the game and the Tigers iced an 81-74 boys basketball victory at the free throw line Wednesday night.
The result spoiled Carney's 41 points, a career-high for him at the varsity level.
The Golden Tornado fell to 5-7 overall and 1-6 in section play.
“We have to find a way to maintain the energy for a full game,” Carney said. “Things were really clicking for us in the second half. But that (second quarter), was a lot of missed shots and silly mistakes.”
Butler's poor play in the second period came after the Tornado had put the Tigers on their heels in the opening quarter.
Butler was 10 of 15 from the field in the first eight minutes and drained six treys, including a pair from both Carney and Mattix Clement as Butler led 26-22.
The scoring barrage quickly gave way in a frustrating second quarter that saw the Tornado make just two of their nine field goal attempts and commit five turnovers.
“We did a good job of getting them out of their defense in the first quarter,” said Butler coach Matt Clement. “But then they started shading toward Devin, Mattix and Madden (Clement). It was hard to get the looks we wanted.”
The Tigers took advantage, out-scoring Butler 21-4 in the period to take a 43-30 lead into halftime.
The Tornado's rally hinged largely on outside shooting. They drained six treys in the third quarter - three from Carney and one apiece from Mattix and Madden Clement and David Leslie.
They still trailed 63-54 entering the fourth, but Carney's 11-of-12 effort from the free throw line in the period and Colin Patterson's 3-pointer highlighted a 20-12 run that culminated with the former's 4-point effort.
Butler tallied 15 treys in all.
“We're wasting too many big efforts from individual players,” said Matt Clement, “but we have to keep working, keep grinding.”
The Tigers (11-2, 8-0) remained unbeaten in section games, but several of the victories have been in doubt late.
“It seems to be the same old story,” said NA coach Dan DeRose. “We've been getting off to slow starts either at the start of a game or in the third quarter and that needs to stop.
“We're doing enough to win, but can't keep our foot on the gas.”
The Tigers received double-digit points from five players — McDonough (22), Greg Habib (20), Robby Jones (14), Khalil Dinkins (13) and Ethan Lake (10).
McDonough scored 10 in the final period, including two treys that helped the Tigers maintain the lead, albeit a slim one for much of the quarter.
BUTLER 74Devin Carney 12 11-12 41, Mattix Clement 3 0-0 9, Colin Patterson 1 0-0 3, Charlie Kreinbucher 2 0-0 4, Madden Clement 3 0-0 9, David Leslie 3 0-0 8, Kaleb Proudfoot 0 0-0 0, Derek Butterworth 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24 11-12 74.
NORTH ALLEGHENY 81Greg Habib 7 5-7 20, Matt McDonough 7 4-4 22, Robby Jones 5 0-0 14, Khalil Dinkins 5 3-3 13, Kyrell Hutcherson 1 0-0 2, Ethan Lake 5 0-0 10, Greg Phillips 0 0-0 0, Jack Christy 0 0-0 0 . Totals: 30 12-14 81.Butler 26 4 24 20 — 74North Allegheny22 21 20 18 — 813-point goals: Butler 15 (Carney 6, Mat.Clement 3, Mad.Clement 3, Leslie 2, Patterson); North Allegheny 9 (McDonough 4, Jones 4, Habib)Saturday: Butler at North Hills
