On Friday night, Westfield traveled to fourth-ranked Brownsburg for a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game. Westfield has been a surprise team this season with wins over Lafayette Jeff, Zionsville, and Noblesville. But Brownsburg entered the game playing as well as any team and riding an eight-game winning streak. (Pictured: Connor Lucas)
After working the ball for thirty seconds, Pierce Thomas drove the baseline for a dunk to open the game. Thomas was aggressive throughout the game, and his play helped Brownsburg get off to a quick start.
On the other side, Braden Smith took a pass from Nic DePasquale for a floater to score on Westfield's first possession. Smith, a 2022 point guard, was tough for Brownsburg to handle off the dribble. He scored nine points in the first quarter.
Late in the opening quarter, Westfield took a two-point lead on a three-pointer from Smith. With the clock winding down, Thomas found Connor Lucas for a corner three at the buzzer. It was his second three of the game.
The action slowed in the second stanza as Brownsburg implemented its 1-3-1 zone. It kept Smith out of the lane, but it also worked the clock. Brownsburg took a 22-20 lead to the half after Thomas buried a triple.
Brownsburg maintained a slight lead throughout the third quarter. Once again, Lucas was able to close out the quarter with a three-pointer. It gave the Bulldogs a six-point advantage.
Quentin Bragg created a steal on Westfield's first possession of the fourth. Luke Lacey finished on the other end for Brownsburg.
The next possession started the Connor Lucas Show. He connected on his fourth three-pointer of the game early in the period. For most players, that would have been a great game. But Lucas proceeded to score the next 12 Brownsburg points on four more threes. Lucas made six triples in the fourth quarter. He added a couple of baskets inside the arc for 22 points in the quarter. He was eight of nine from the field in the period. It was incredible.
Behind the outburst from Lucas, Brownsburg blew open the game. The lead reached 18 points before Smith hit a late three-pointer for Westfield. Brownsburg won 65-50.
Connor Lucas finished with 31 points on nine three-pointers.
Pierce Thomas added 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. He was three of seven from three-point range. Luke Lacey had seven points, five assists, and five rebounds. Quentin Bragg added six points and five assists. JaKobie McGowan had four points and six rebounds. Tyray Lackey added four points.
Braden Smith's 26 points were overshadowed by Connor Lucas. Smith was 10-15 from the field and four of seven from three-point range. He also had seven rebounds and three assists. Cam Haffner added 10 points. Nic DePasquale tallied eight points.