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Tigers beat Knights behind strong defense
By Joe Warren
Nevada Daily Mail
In sheer athleticism, the Nevada Tigers were overmatched. One-on-one, the Southeast Knights out of Kansas City probably had the advantage over the Tiger Classic hosts.
But basketball is a team game. As a team, the Tigers proved to be the better of the two, as they pulled away from the Knights in the second half to win Tuesday's pool-play opener 49-39.
After trailing 25-23 at halftime, the Tigers made their move in the third period. Nevada got two 3s from J.R. Mills and another from Ben Wilson and put the clamps on the Knights at the defensive end.
Nevada held Southeast to only 14 points in the second half. The Knights were consistently shooting with hands in their faces during the second half, and the Tigers were able to limit the visitors on the glass, causing many one-shot possessions.
The Tigers struggled to find open looks in the first half. But in the third quarter Mills was able to get open for two 3s, draining both of them in a span of 27 seconds to turn a 27-26 deficit into a 32-27 lead.
After a basket by Southeast's Tyrone Tanner cut the lead to three, Wilson found himself open at the top of the key and he drilled the trey to give the Tigers a six-point lead and control of the game.
Nevada's defense took over from there, keeping the Knights from getting any closer than four points the rest of the way.
Nevada coach John McNeley was pleased with the team's effort, particular coming out of the intermission.
"I think we guarded their dribble penetration pretty well (all game)," McNeley said. " In the second half I thought we played just as hard and played a little more effectively."
McNeley acknowledged that the Knights were a quick, athletic team that posed a threat to Nevada in one-on-one situations.
"It's a difficult matchup," he said. "We got a great performance from Bryan (Campbell)."
Campbell was charged with guarding the ball-handler as the Knights set up their offense. Southeast was never able to get into an offensive rhythm because Campbell was able to keep the point guard from breaking down the Tiger defense.
Campbell was not the only one who played well defensively. McNeley praised Taylor Rainey, Eric Atkinson and the rest of the Nevada squad for the defensive effort.
"Taylor gave us his normal good effort," McNeley said. "I thought our other players were solid ... Eric is a warrior. I've never coached a tougher kid."
Mills led the team with 17 points, including four from beyond the arc.
Campbell had 11, the only other Tiger in double figures.
Southeast had two players in double figures with Tanner and Chester Brown both pouring in 10 points.
Nevada improved to 8-7 this season with the win.
The Tigers will continue pool play Thursday when they face El Dorado Springs.
If the Tigers win they will clinch first place in Pool A and will earn a berth in Saturday's Tiger Classic championship game.
El Dorado Springs will play Southeast Friday in the only other Pool A game.
In Pool B, Carthage is 1-0, after beating Humansville Monday. Willard has yet to play, and they have won the past three Tiger Classics.
Notes: Mills hit a 3 with 26 seconds left in the first half to take a 23-22 lead. Southeast's Richard Dickerson hit a 3 to answer with only eight seconds left for the halftime lead ... Nathan Gragg provided a spark off the bench in the second quarter, scoring all four of his points.