HUMBOLDT — On a night where the Humboldt Cubs committed 17 turnovers, and shot a measly 10 of 22 from the charity stripe, head coach David Taylor was not afraid to admit his side was outplayed by a determined Osage City.
The Indians ran wild through the first three quarters, holding a 20-point advantage entering the final period. Humboldt battled in the fourth, but it was too little too late as Osage City held on for the 60-55 victory in the first round of substate play, and ending the Cubs season.
“It’s what they were doing, not us. They beat us,” Taylor said. “They ran their stuff, and they beat us.”
Humboldt trailed 8-4 with 4:09 remaining in the first period when Conor Haviland picked up his second foul, putting Humboldt’s star in early trouble.
Despite not having Haviland, Humboldt forced their way into the lead with an acrobatic finish from Drew Wilhite. The 12-9 lead would be Humboldt’s final advantage of the afternoon.
Osage City regained the lead with .7 seconds left on the clock with a pair of free throws to take a 13-12 edge after the first period.
In the second, Humboldt had no answer for the Indians onslaught. Osage City opened the period with a 10-0 run. Humboldt’s Isiah Coronado broke a three-minute scoring drought but by that time Humboldt trailed 23-13.
The Cubs scored only two field goals in the quarter, one a coast-to-coast bucket from Wilhite, and the other a wing 3-pointer from Haviland that brought Humboldt within six. But the Indians regained their double-digit lead at the break, leading 29-19 at intermission.
Too many first-half turnovers and not enough rebounds told the tale early on.
“Rebounding was big,” Taylor said. “They out rebounded us, and anytime you out rebound your opponent, you always have a chance.”
The Cub offense remained stagnant out of the locker room to start the third quarter. Coronado opened Humboldt’s scoring with a 3-point play with 4:57 remaining in the third, but the Cubs trailed 22-36.
Back-to-back treys from Osage City gave the Indians their largest lead of 17 with 2:49 left in the third, and held a 47-27 advantage into the final period.
Although the Cubs were down, they weren’t necessarily out.
Beginning the fourth quarter, Humboldt began to fight its way into the game through its full-court press and hot shooting.Two consecutive 3-pointers from Coronado and Drake Hottenstein brought Humboldt within five. The only problem was the time on the clock.
“It was a good effort,” Taylor said. “I was glad to see them battle back, and not just fold completely. But if you don’t win, you’re done.”
