(Atlantic) Atlantic held off Audubon’s fourth-quarter rally to win 66-60 at Audubon on Thursday night.
The game played out as a tale of two halves. The Wheelers started with a box-in-defense on Atlantic’s top scorer Colton Rasmussen, who brought a 25.5 point per game average into the contest, and a 33-point effort against Shenandoah on Tuesday night. Audubon broke out to a 4-0 run early; however, the Trojans adjusted, rolled to a 9-0 run, and led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Trojans kept their foot on the gas in the second frame, outscoring Audubon 27-12, behind Rasmussen’s 14 first-half points. Gavin McLaren provided support with 11, and Nolan Waters splashed down a critical three-point basket for a 40-21 lead at the break.
Atlantic Head Coach Dalton Franken was pleased with his team’s effort and adjusting the Wheeler defense on Rasmussen.
The Trojans came out in the third quarter and knocked down three from behind the arc off the hands of Rasmussen, McLaren, and Brock Henderson to lead 57 to 36.
Audubon came out in the fourth quarter with a straight man-to-man defense, forcing turnovers and behind 6-8 senior Edward Miller, who scored 17 points in the second half, eight during that fourth-quarter run, finishing with a 24-9 run. Audubon Head Coach Darran Miller says he was proud of his team’s effort in the final frame despite the loss.
Coach Miller says the team’s fourth-quarter rally gives his team something to build off of during the Christmas break.
Edward Miller led the Wheelers with 22 points, Aaron Olsen, 12, Austin Christensen, 8, Mason Steckler, 7, Carson Wessel, 4, Brody Schultes, 3, and Sully McLain chipped in 2.
Colton Rasmussen led the Atlantic with 26 points, Gavin McLaren with 16, Brock Henderson with 9, Tyrell Williams with 8, Nolan Waters with 5, and Roth Den Beste with 2.
Atlantic hosts Glenwood on January 2 for a girl/boy doubleheader. Audubon is at IKM/Manning on January 5.
