Defense keys Tigers to victory over O'Hara

Editors note: A condensed version of this story appeared in Saturday's edition

KANSAS CITY, Mo. ---- Despite its 10-game win streak, the Nevada Tigers entered Friday night's West Central Conference matchup with the Archbishop O'Hara Celtics as the underdog.

Nevada previously suffered its most lopsided defeat of the season to O'Hara, a 24-point loss Dec. 13 at Wynn Gym.

The outcome of the second meeting was much different, as the Tigers led by as many as 22 points early in the fourth quarter, before emerging with a 65-58 victory. Nevada's 11th straight victory upped its record to 16-3 overall (5-3 WCC-play).

Nevada led 17-15 after one quarter of play, before increasing its lead to 35-19 at halftime (after outscoring the Celtics 18-4 in the second).

"We were playing hard right out of the gate," Nevada head coach Shaun Gray said. "We felt like in the first game in December, we didn't play to anywhere near our potential. Having the big halftime lead gave our guys a lot of confidence ---- and a belief that if we continued to play well we could win the game."

Defensive-minded

"We felt really good about the defense we were playing in the first half," Gray said. "We always preach to the guys that 'really good defense leads to good offense,' and that's exactly what happened tonight."

Gray was especially pleased with the terrific defense senior Myles McNeley applied to Celtics' combo guard Deron McDaniel. In the first meeting, McDaniel exploded for 21 first half points and 27 for the game. Friday, McDaniel was held to 12 points for the contest.

"Myles basically shut him down," Gray said. "Those were a hard-earned 12 points. (Deron) didn't really create anything (off the dribble) for them. Myles made Deron work extremely hard just to catch the ball. Myles did nothing but deny him. So instead of McDaniel working hard to score, he was working hard just to catch the ball.

"We really wanted to make somebody besides McDaniel beat us."

Nevada's defensive effort was also outstanding on Celtics 6-foo-5 junior Arinze Mgbemena.

"Of all our opponents, he's the best true center we'll see all season," Gray said. "We didn't allow him to score a basket in the first quarter."

The Tigers then outscored O'Hara 16-12 in the third quarter to go on top 51-31.

Facing a huge deficit, O'Hara began to turn up its defensive pressure early in the fourth quarter.

"We forced some quick shots that we probably shouldn't have, and then we fouled," Gray said. "And you never want to foul with a big lead in the fourth quarter.

Nevada was outscored 27-14 in the fourth, but was able to hang on for the key WCC victory.

Nevada senior point guard Matthew Sommer dropped in 10 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter. Last season, Sommer poured in 38 points on the same court.

"I think he likes playing here," Gray said with a chuckle. "Matthew had some really big buckets for us in the fourth quarter. When they were cutting into the lead, he would answer to keep them at arms length. He also handled their full-court pressure well."

In addition to Sommer's 29 point outing, junior forward Clay Gayman finished with 22 points. Following Gayman in scoring was Dalton Gayman with five, Patrick Ferry, four; McNeley, three; and Hunter Mason, two.

"All of our role players had great games as well," an elated Gray said. "Hunter did a good job rebounding and played great defense. Patrick and Dalton also defended well. And (sophomore guards) Carter Swearingen and Will Johnson gave us quality minutes off the bench."

Gray continued, "We were the team making them uncomfortable, instead of vice-versa, and I think most of our guys could say they played their best game of the season tonight. What they did from a passing, defending, and rebounding standpoint was really impressive."

Note: Nevada starting small forward Braeden Hinton did not play due to illness

Junior varsity

Nevada's junior varsity squad (10-6) was edged by O'Hara 46-42. Nevada sophomore forward Matt Thompson led the Tigers in scoring with 17 points.

Up next

Nevada returns to Wynn Gym for a Friday night West Central Conference matchup with Warrensburg. The night's festivities include Courtwarming.