Slow start tips up Greencastle again against West Vigo

It was raining Friday night, not just outside, but raining threes inside the McAnally Center.

West Vigo jumped out to a 13-0 lead and hit four three pointers in the first quarter, as the Vikings handed Greencastle a 68-58 loss Friday night, despite 32 points from Sam Gooch.

West Vigo came out firing, hitting seven of its first eight shots and sprinting out to a 13-0 lead right off the bat, the lead growing to as big as 14 at 18-4.

Greencastle started the long climb out of the hole. Sam Gooch was able to penetrate and get to the rim, scoring seven first-quarter points as the Vikings were 8-of-10 and a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc in the quarter.

The Cubs tried to get back into the game. Gooch continued to penetrate and Cody Evans got into the offense, closing the lead down to five as the Vikings cooled on offense.

As the story goes, however, every time West Vigo needed a bucket, it got one, quickly extending the lead back to 12 at the half at 38-26.

The teams continued to battle back and forth in the second half. West Vigo was able to extend its advantage again behind the inside play of sophomore Garrett Pugh.

With the lead at 15, Evans hit a three and Gooch another bucket to make it a 10-point game going into the final period.

It would get interesting in the last eight minutes. Judah Amis, who was in foul trouble most of the game, got on a roll and was soon down to a seven-point Viking lead.

The Cubs would get as close as four down the stretch after a three from Taygan McRoberts and a putback from Gooch.

West Vigo had struggled from the charity stripe all night until it mattered. Greencastle was forced to foul and the Vikings went 6-of-6 down the final stretch to secure the WIC victory.

“I was really disappointed on how we came out to begin the game. Same thing happened against them last year. We left shooters open. After we settled down, it was really an even game,” Greencastle coach Bryce Rector said.

Gooch finished with a game high 32 points and also grabbed seven boards. Evans also finished in double figures with 16.

The Vikings ended with three players in double figures with Zeke Tanoos leading the way with 19 and Pugh finishing with 18 and nine boards.

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Scoring — (G) Gooch 32, Evans 16, Amis 6, McRoberts 3, (WV) Tanoos 19, Pugh 18, Smith 13, Boehler 9, Chambers 5, Fields 2

Rebounding — (G) Gooch 7, Evans 6, Amis 3, Sutherlin 3, Williamson 1; (WV) Pugh 9, Tanoos 6, Fields 4, Boehler 1, Chambers 1