Madelia came to town on Thursday and rained down five threes in the first half and seven more after the break for a 13-pont lead midway through the second half.
But the Clippers worked their way back, all the way to the end, where they got the right person in the right place at the right time, but Brennan Kortuem’s three-point shot just in front of the buzzer caromed off the rim, and Madelia avenged an earlier season loss to the Clippers with a 61-58 triumph.
“They were hot tonight, that’s for sure, and they weren’t in the first game we played them,” said head coach Mike Meyer. “But we weathered the storm pretty well. We fought our way back, and they never quit.”
With 22 points, nine from behind the arc, Kortuem led the effort. Carter Barto, getting up to speed after a year without playing, had a nice game with 13 points as well as key rebounds. Blake Lyons added 10 points. Carson Lyons had six points. Jorden Rossow contributed five points, including the Clippers’ only other three. Gabe Sullivan chipped in two points.
The Clippers could have won the game from the foul line but were a lackluster eight of 18, down for them as they have been solid in free-throw shooting, especially considering it is early in the season. Madelia made five of seven free shots.
Foreshadowing the rest of the contest, Madelia’s three was the first basket. Carson Lyons put in a run-jump shot, Rossow hit a three, and Kortuem drove the lane for a bucket, and the Clippers led 7-3.
Later in the half, the Blackhawks scored 13 of 15 points to go up front 23-16.
But Barto scored inside, Kortuem zipped through the lane for a couple of baskets, and Rossow stole and drove from shore-to-shore for a layup, and the Clippers narrowed their deficit to four, 29-25 at the intermission.
Blake Lyons spun for the first basket of the second half. Barto added a pair of free shots to stalemate the game at 29, but Madelia spurted for 10 points and then traded threes for Clipper twos to lead 48-35.
Kortuem started the Clipper comeback with a three, and then took the ball inside for two more baskets. Blake Lyons hauled in an offensive rebound and put it back up for two more points, and Barto put in jumpers from near the free-throw line and also the baseline. Carson Lyons drove the lane for a score, and Kortuem sunk a three from the corner. Blake Lyons took the ball all the way across the floor for the Clippers’ final basket.
Cleveland went to the foul, but with 6.8 seconds remaining, the Blackhawk’s two free shots both made it through the net.
“We still haven’t found our offense,” Meyer said. “The other night we were two for 24 in threes and 60 percent in free throws. Tonight, we were way under 50 percent for free throws, but we just kept attacking, finding areas where we could get inside, but they’re a well-coached team and played really well tonight. It was a fun game regardless. We learned a lot tonight.”
The Clippers will host non-conference New Ulm Cathedral tonight (Tuesday) in a 6:00 game. JV boys and varsity girls follow.
Above: Blake Lyons, Carson Lyons, Kyle Connor and Jorden Rossow on defense.
Brennan Kortuem launches for a shot.
Carson Lyons grabs an O rebound.
Carson Lyons passes inside while coaches Carter Kopet and Mike Meyer watch.