In a small school battle, Andrean and Kouts exchanged blows for three quarters before the 59ers pulled away in the fourth behind a massive effort from Gabe Gillespie.

 

The game had an excellent early pace as both teams pushing the ball. Ben Jones, Gabe Gillespie, and Nick Flesher had success for Andrean going to the basket. The 59ers were under control and used their size and strength to score in the lane. Kouts used its overall speed to get to the paint but struggled to finish. That was a theme throughout the game.

 

Kouts’ high-scoring guard Cole Wireman was just 2-7 from the field in the opening quarter, but all six players that took the floor scored for Kouts in the first. After eight minutes, the game was tied at 17.

 

Gillespie and Burnett helped open a seven-point lead midway through the second quarter. Burnett was causing problems for Kouts on the defensive end with his length and quickness. He blanketed Cole Wireman all over the floor then had the size to bother his shot in the lane.

 

Later in the half, Cole Wireman started to get shots to fall. He scored five points in short order to cut Andrean’s lead to two points. Flesher drilled a three-pointer before the second-quarter buzzer to give Andrean a five-point advantage.

 

Early in the second half, Jones hit a three to push Andrean’s lead to eight, but within seconds, Parker Kneifel had a dunk on the other end after a long pass from Hunter Kneifel. Kouts kept answering Andrean shot for shot. Cooper Schoon had a putback dunk then Hunter Kneifel scored in the lane to make it a two-point game. Gillespie scored eight in the third to keep Andrean afloat. The 59ers took a 46-45 to the final quarter.

 

Continuing his huge second half, Gillespie dominated the fourth quarter. It was a close game for three periods, but Gillespie made sure Andrean would win. He scored 12 points in the final stanza to give the 59ers breathing room. Jones and Flesher flanked Gillespie with eight and six points, respectively, in the quarter.

 

The game was out of reach for the final three minutes, but Cole Wireman kept fighting. He showed the ability to get to the lane off the dribble against the stellar Andrean athletes. The length of the defenders did stifle his finishing ability.

 

Andrean cruised to the 73-59 victory as Gillespie finished with 27 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Flesher tallied 20 points and five rebounds; Jones ended with 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals; Deshon Burnett had seven points, five rebounds, five assists.

 

Cole Wireman led Kouts with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three steals; Hunter Kneifel scored 10; Parker Kneifel contributed eight points and seven rebounds; Cooper Schoon finished with eight points and five rebounds.

 

Kouts grabbed 17 offensive rebounds compared to eight for Andrean, but the Mustangs were just 25-61 from the field.