March 29, 2024

Raiders run past Eagles for league road win

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AFTON — Mount Ayr’s patience shined through Tuesday as the Raiders struck down East Union 52-35 in Afton in Pride of Iowa Conference play.

The Raiders, who won just their second game of the year, took the game to the Eagles early. Mount Ayr never trailed.

After trading buckets at a crucial stretch of the game in the third quarter, Mount Ayr went on a game-changing run. John Shields scored six points over that stretch. Tristan Holmes hit a 3-pointer and Shields tossed in a layup off a pretty Holmes entry pass to send the Raiders into the fourth quarter up 39-22.

Mount Ayr’s guards’ ability to handle the press and the finishing ability of Shields sealed the deal.

“John (Shields) did a great job of getting into a spot where he could take one step and make a layup,” said Mount Ayr coach Bret Ruggles. “Our guards did a great job of either hitting down the sideline and getting it to John or getting it down the middle, crossing it, and then down to to John.”

Shields led all scorers with 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Mount Ayr’s youth showed through with a few hiccups, but the Raiders held on for a comfortable win.

“We had to limit our shots and most importantly get the best shots we could,” Ruggles said. “That’s what we worked all Christmas break on, the idea was, this may be an open three, but we’re going to throw one more pass and get a clean look.”

The ball movement paid dividends as Mount Ayr assisted on 17 of its 21 made buckets. The Raiders shot 50 percent from the floor overall on 21-of-42 shooting.

Myles Greene scored all eight of his points as Mount Ayr jumped out to a 14-5 lead in the first. He, Dawson Frost and Isaac Grose all scored eight.

The Raiders scored six straight via a Holmes bucket, Shields baseline jumper and two Isaac Gross free throws in the second. After a Mason Gossman made free throw, and a Gross 3-pointer gave Mount Ayr a 14-point lead late in the second quarter.

East Union’s Casey Walter was the lone Eagle to score on a made bucket in the first half until Gabe Nixon nailed a 3-pointer with under 10 seconds remaining in the first half.

Nixon’s trey made the score 25-14 at half in favor of Mount Ayr. Walter’s eight first-half points led East Union and he scored 10 in the game.

Mount Ayr’s zone defensive look slowed the Eagles throughout the night, though the Raiders did switch defenses multiple times per quarter.

“When you’re on all cylinders out of it (the zone) we’re actually rotating really well, it can be a very stifling defense because there’s always someone in the way,” Ruggles said.

Nixon’s better second half performance netted him 13 total points.

UP NEXT — Mount Ayr (3-11) heads to Wayne Friday for a 7:45 p.m. POI game. East Union (9-5) travels to Pleasantville Friday and play at 7:45 p.m.

“We’ve got seven games (six on the road) left this season and fortunately we are in control of how we play,” East Union coach Matt Brown said.

“We will homer away. It’s going to take our best game to win any of them.”

MA: Scoring — John Shields 7 0-0 14, Myles Greene 3 0-1 8, Isaac Grose 2 2-2 8, Dawson Frost 3 1-2 8, Luke Wurster 3 1-2 7, Tristan Holmes 2 0-1 5, Jacob McCreary 1 0-0 2. 3-pt goals — 6 (Myles Greene 2, Isaac Grose 2, Dawson Frost 1, Tristan Holmes 1 ). FG Shooting — 21-42 (50 percent) Rebounds — 20 (John Shields 10, Myles Greene 4). Assists — 17 (Tristan Holmes 6, Myles Greene 4, Luke Wurster 2, Dawson Frost 2). Steals — 10. Team Fouls — 10. Fouled out - Isaac Grose.

EU: Scoring — Gabe Nixon 13, Casey Walter 10, Mason Gossman 5, Kyle Campbell 3, Matt McGuire 2, Dillon Weis 2. Team fouls — 12. Fouled out — None.

MA (53)  14 11 13 13

EU (35) 5 9 8 13