Indees challenge Hornets, but fall short
Brandon Sylla of Independence/Gilmanton tried to get around an Alma Center Lincoln player during their game last Thursday. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
The Independence/Gilmanton boys basketball team gave one of the Dairyland Conference’s best teams a scare, but couldn’t hold on in a 47-36 loss.
The Indees, which are last in the DC-Small Division with a 1-11 mark, had a halftime lead against Alma Center Lincoln, which is tied for second at 8-2.
The game looked how many expected early as the Hornets took a 12-5 lead midway through the first half. But the Indees responded.
Beginning with a fadeaway by Xavier Santillan, I/G scored eight straight as Sylla knocked down a jumper and a three pointer to put the team ahead 13-12. The Hornets tied the game on a free throw, then Chase Jesse scored to put I/G back ahead. Sylla added another basket on a drive that made the score 17-13.
After an ACL basket, Sylla got a jumper to fall then scored inside to give I/G a 21-17 lead as they took a 21-20 advantage into halftime.
I/G’s lead was still one at 27-26 a few minutes into the second half, but the Hornets scored 14 straight points to take control of the game.
Sylla had a team-high 16 points for I/G while Grady Meier added eight. Jace Paul scored 22 for the Hornets.
The loss dropped I/G to 4-19 on the season before. They won’t play again until next Thursday when they host Cochrane-Fountain City in Gilmanton.
I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Sylla 7/16-1/3-2-4-16 Pfaff 1/1-0/0-1-0-2 Jesse 1/7-0/0-2-1-2 Montalvo 1/3-0/0-1-2-3 Santillian 2/10-0/0-2-5-5 Ortiz 0/1-0/0-0-0-0 Meier 4/9-0/0-10-2-8 Flores 0/3-0/0-9-3-0 Pyka 0/1-0/0-5-1-0
