Southwestern uses runs to topple Cougars

MONROVIA — After defeating Bethesda Christian in the opening round of the Monrovia Tournament on Thursday, North Putnam battled Southwestern (Shelby) in the semifinals later in the day and lost 62-55.

Southwestern had beaten host Monrovia in the first round.

Southwestern got out of the gates on a hot start, hitting three treys to start on a 9-0 run. Cougar Coach Collin McCartt called a timeout, and out of the timeout senior Corbin Judy hit a layup to start off the Cougar scoring.

Southwestern added another trey in the quarter, and led 17-12 going into the second quarter before Southwestern came out and started with another 8-0 run.

The Southwestern defense caused havoc for the Cougars, who scored only five points in the quarter. North Putnam faced a 31-17 deficit to start the second half.

North Putnam came out of the locker room on a 4-0 run, but that was not enough to start a comeback for the Cougars, committing five of their 13 turnovers in the quarter.

North’s defense was probably the best of the game in the third quarter. North started to get into a little bit of foul trouble with both Cougar big men — Gross and senior Luke Mitchel — both picked up their third fouls of the game.

The Cougars started the fourth quarter on a 4-0 run again, but it was still not enough to mount a comeback.

Seniors Dylan Webster, Duke Duff and Corbin each hit huge treys for the Cougars in the quarter to help close the margin to single digits.

Southwestern always had an answer, whether it was through free throws or a layup. Southwestern was 13-18 from the line, which was aided by the Cougars who put the Spartans in the bonus with 3:26 left in the game.

Not long afterward, Gross dove on the floor with several Southwestern players, causing him to pick up his fifth foul.

North Putnam cut the Spartan lead to six, but it did not get any closer than that.

North Putnam will be back Friday at West Vigo in Western Indiana Conference action and will host North Vermillion the following night.

NORTH PUTNAM (55) — Smith 2 1-1 5, Porter 6 1-1 14, Gross 6-12 2-4 14, Duff 3 0-1 7, Judy 1-2 0-0 5, Mitchel 1 1-2 3, Pickel 0-1 1-2 1, Webster 2 0-0 6. Totals 19 FG, 5-9 FT, 55 TP

SOUTHWESTERN (62) — J. Swansan 3-5 5-8 11, S. Shackelford 3-3 8-8 17, Swift 1-3 5-6 10, Simpson 0-3 0-1 12, E. Shackelford 3-7 4-7 10, Z. Swansan 1-3 0-0 5.

North Putnam 12 5 10 28 — 55

Southwestern 17 14 11 20 — 62

3-point shooting — North Putnam 5-19 (Smith 0-3, Porter 1-7, Duff 1-3, Judy, 1-2, Webster 2-4), Southwestern 6-20 (J. Swanson 0-1, S. Shackelford 1-4, Swift 1-3, Simpson 3-9, Z. Swanson 1-3). Turnovers — NP 13 Southwestern 6.