Warriors Use Second-Half Run to Put Away Highland

Ottumwa -- Indian Hills scored nine quick points to open the second half, eventually built the lead to 19 and then held off a late charge by Highland CC to stay perfect through the first three games of the season. IHCC beat Highland, 66-52, in the final game of the Jack Blackwell Tire Company Classic on Saturday night.

The win was the third straight to start the season for the Warriors, who don't play again until they host the Klyn Automotive Classic next weekend at the Hellyer Center.

The Warriors took a halftime lead thanks to some late first-half heroics by 5-7 guard Larry Stone. With IHCC clinging to a one-point lead, Stone was fouled on a three-point field goal attempt. He made all three shots and then followed with two more free throws less than a minute later to put the Warriors up, 30-24. After consecutive baskets by Highland, Stone ended the first-half scoring with a three to send IHCC off at the half leading 33-28.

Indian Hills continued the run to start the second half. Brandon Garrett had two straight field goals, Aaron Austin and Dijon Farr combined to make three free throws and the Warriors got another field goal to build the lead to 42-28. Abel Tillman finally got Highland's first points of the half on a field goal over four minutes into the half, but the Warriors continued to get strong play from Garrett and Austin to go ahead 59-40.

The Cougars showed signs of life with a 10-0 spurt to cut the deficit to nine, but Garrett answered with a three-point play and a layup and that finished off Highland.

Garrett had 15 of his team-high 17 points in the final half to lead the IHCC scoring. Stone had 14 and Austin 11. Highland got 10 points from both Tillman and Tim Steed.

Indian Hills enjoyed a big advantage from the free throw line where they made 24-of-37, compared to just 9-of-13 by Highland.

INDIAN HILLS 66, HIGHLAND 52

INDIAN HILLS Dwan McMillan 1 1-2 3, Aaron Austin 3 5-8 11, Brandon Garrett 7 3-8 17, Bruno Ferreira 2 5-7 9, Derrick Hill 0 0-0 0, Dijon Farr 2 3-5 9, Larry Stone 3 7-7 14, E.J. Hicks 1 0-0 3, Alex Vouyoukas 0 0-0 0, Chad Dillard 0 0-0 0 Team 19 24-37 66

HIGHLAND Jerel Partlow 1 0-0 3, Richard Anderson 4 1-2 9, Tim Steed 3 3-4 10, Alex Tuluka Mfumupembe 0 0-0 0, Connell Crossland 3 2-2 8, D'Mitri Riggs 3 0-2 7, Abel Tillman 4 2-2 10, Terrance Williams 0 0-0 0, Frank Barnes 2 1-1 5 Team 20 9-13 52

Halftime score: Indian Hills 33, Highland 28; Three-point field goals: IHCC 4 (Farr 2, Stone 1, Hicks 1), HCC 3 (Partlow 1, Steed 1, Riggs 1)