Rams pound out 82-67 win

Creston’s defense allowed a season-high 82 points in a Hawkeye Ten home loss to Glenwood Friday night.

Glenwood’s tallest players did the most damage, as 6-4 senior forward Risto Lappala scored a game-high 26 points and powerful 6-3 center Logyn Eckheart added 11 in the 82-67 victory. Senior guard Caden Johnson provided 14 points as the Rams improved to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Sophomore Jake Hoyt had 16 points for Creston, which fell to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the league.

“We scored 67 points with some bad shot selection and missed free throws, so scoring production isn’t the issue,” Creston coach Bryce Schafer said. “We just have to figure out how to defend their bigs. We’re going to have to change tactically what we’re going to do against teams like that. It was the same thing against Atlantic. We’re fronting everyone and our help isn’t getting over fast enough. I thought Lucas Rushing came in and was excellent against their big guy inside.”

Point guard Cael Turner sat out several minutes in the first half with two fouls, and senior forward Kyle Strider searched to find his offensive rhythm as the Panthers trailed 40-34 at the break.

Glenwood’s lead swelled to nine points (52-43) early in the third quarter before Creston mounted a short-lived rally. Hoyt started the run with a driving layup, and the home crowd erupted as Crawford drained two straight 3-pointers to shave it to 54-51. When Crawford slipped an assist to Logan Anson for a lay-in at the end of the quarter, the Rams were clinging to a 57-55 advantage.

Gavin Schau hit consecutive 3-pointers during Glenwood’s 15-4 run to start the fourth period, leaving the Panthers in a 72-59 hole midway through the final quarter. The gap reached 18 points before the 82-67 final.

“I told the guys afterward, look at the eight possessions that led to that run that cut it to three, and then look at the eight possessions after that run,” Schafer said. “Terrible shot selection, quick looks and turning it over led to transition easy buckets for them. Also, up to that point they hadn’t hit a perimeter shot, and then they knocked in a couple.”

Creston was scheduled to face Cameron (Missouri) at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 12 Courts of Christmas event at Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, formerly known as Kemper Arena. But, the trip for both the Creston boys and girls was canceled Monday due to the forecast of inclement weather starting Wednesday evening.

GLENWOOD (82) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 32 14-16 82. Risto Lappala 12 2-2 26, Caden Johnson 6 1-1 14, Gavin Schau 4 0-0 11, Logyn Eckheart 4 3-4 11, Zac Kelsey 2 5-5 9, Kayden Anderson 2 1-2 5, Payton Longmeyer 1 0-0 2, Casey Godbout 1 0-0 2, Adam Severn 0 2-2 2. 3-point goals — 4 (Schau 3, Johnson 1). Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — None.

CRESTON (67) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 28 4-7 67. Jake Hoyt 7 2-3 16, Ethan Crawford 5 0-0 14, Cael Turner 5 2-4 12, Patrick Varner 4 0-0 8, Kyle Strider 2 0-0 5, Conner Wiley 2 0-0 5, Logan Anson 2 0-0 4, Parker Varner 1 0-0 3. 3-point goals — 7 (Crawford 4, Strider 1, Parker Varner 1, Wiley 1). Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — None.