PENDLETON HTS FALLS SHORT ON TWO RUNS AT MT.VENON

Not once, but twice did the Pendleton Heights boys basketball team erase double-digit second half deficits to cut it to three or less.

But the Arabians could never quite get over the hump.

Mount Vernon came up with the big plays late and defeated PH 59-50 in a raucous Fortville venue.

The Arabians had many chances, but each time they narrowed the margin, the Marauders went on a huge run and put them right back where they started.

Consider:

· After a 10-0 run in the third quarter cut the Mount Vernon lead to one at 30-29, the Arabians watched their opponent run off 11 consecutive points over a four minute stretch. PH had several empty possessions during that run.

· Even though the previous run appeared to take everything out of the Arabians, they would fight back again in the fourth quarter. An 8-0 run over a two minute, 35 second period sliced the lead to three (47-44). But after a turnover that turned into a Mount Vernon layup, PH again found itself out of it as the Marauders scored the next six points.

· Trailing 51-44 with 2:47 remaining in the game, a rebound bounced off of three Arabians defenders and ended up in the hands of Brad Voltz for a layup. Then, just a minute later with the score 53-46, PH’s Austin Gardner tried to carrel a missed free-throw and watched the ball bounce off his foot.

PH head coach Brian Hahn was disappointed with the loss, but he said his team brought the effort it lacked against Hamilton Southeastern last week.

“We had some struggles offensively, but one of the things I was pleased with was our effort defensively,” Hahn said. “I really thought we did a better job competing on the boards. I said at Hamilton Southeastern that I was disappointed with our competitive effort in the first half and tonight I didn’t feel that way.”

Nathan Hendershot led the Arabians scoring with 16 points, but he made on 6-of-17 shots from the field. Senior Michael Maxwell contributed 11 points, including three 3-pointers, and freshman Kellen Dunham added a season-high 10 points.

PH is back in action next Friday night when it travels to Shenandoah.
Written by Justin Albers