GARNETT — Iola High Mustangs’ “bigs” came to play Tuesday night.
In the six earlier season games, it was guard play that made things go for the Mustangs. Against Anderson County High’s Bulldogs, it was the big men — seniors Christian Kauth and Braden Larson — who pulled the Mustangs to a 48-42 win.
“Braden came to play tonight. He just played basketball and that complemented the job Christian was doing for us,” Mustang head coach Bill Peeper said following the game. “Levi (Ashmore) and Clint (Heffern) had a tough night out front (as Iola’s guards). It’s usually our guards making plays and creating things for us.”
Kauth and Larson tag-teamed the Bulldogs’ 6-5 senior Jason Stoneking all night. Stoneking scored 20 points but also appeared frustrated at times and in foul trouble. Stoneking fouled out going over the back of Larson, who claimed a defensive rebound, with 1:27 left in the game.
Iola was up 44-40 at the time. The Mustangs hit 4 of 6 free throw attempts down the stretch and limited the Bulldogs to just a basket in the final 1:30.
Kauth pulled in seven defensive rebounds to lead Iola on the backboards. He added six points plus had two steals and two assists. Larson came off the bench to pour in 19 points and clear five rebounds.
Iola shot the ball well, 52 percent, but the Mustangs only put up 29 shots, hitting 15. The Mustangs cashed in on 16 of 23 free throw attempts. Jerrik Sigg, who dropped in 6 of 7 charities, ended with 12 points.
“We made it really tough on ourselves. We had a great start then a brutal third quarter,” Peeper said. The Mustangs were outscored 13-4 in the third as the Bulldogs came all the way back for a 30-29 lead.
Drew Mechnig scored five points — a three-pointer and a basket — then Stoneking had a three-point play with 2:13 left to put the Bulldogs on top. Larson had a putback for Iola, which was countered by a basket from Spencer Walter at the other end.
Iola worked for a good shot at the end of the third quarter. The ball went inside to Larson who scored just before the buzzer. Iola led 33-32 and never gave it up. Larson scored on the inside twice and Sigg hit four free throws in the first three minutes of the final period.
The Mustangs extended their lead to 41-32 by the 5:18 mark of the fourth quarter. Four free throws plus a Stoneking three-pointer got the Bulldogs back to within four, 43-39, two minutes later.
Larson and Stoneking exchanged a free throw apiece then Stoneking fouled out.
With the win, the Mustangs broke a three-game skid and improved to 4-3 on the season. They head into a two-game homestand.
Friday’s game against Girard will be the first home contest for the Mustangs since the season opener. Iola hosts Fort Scott next Tuesday.
Iola opened Tuesday’s game on an 11-0 run. The Bulldogs reeled off the next nine points.
