(February 26th, 2015): NORTH CENTRAL – The clash between two opposing conference teams escalated to a standoff at the end of the fourth quarter. The Montpelier Locomotives traveled to North Central on Thursday to face off in the teams’ last non-conference game.
Both teams began the night scoring frequently inside the three-point line. Montpelier’s Nate McCord ignited offensively in the first, accumulating 10 points consisting of three two-pointers and 4/4 successful free-throw attempts. As the Locomotives tallied 15 points in the first, the Eagles would answer with 11 points of their own. The Eagles went on to reciprocate the Locomotive’s outburst; Junior Ethan Douglass scored 7 points alongside his teammates as they tied Montpelier at the end of the half at 28.
A low scoring third quarter made for a delayed climax in the fourth quarter. Michael Blake and Nate McCord of the Locomotives added 6 points to the board; Kyrin Schuman added 6 of his own, shooting 4/4 at the foul line, aiding in the conquest. The Eagles would outscore their opponent throughout the final 8 minutes of play. Nick Henry and Jordan Bailey each making one three-pointer in conjunction with the team’s combined 9 points totalled for 15 – tying the game at 48 by the final buzzer.
After both teams quickly recouped, the course of action went full-force in overtime. North Central’s Ethan Douglass and Steven Williams forced a two-pointer past the Loco’s defense as Jordan Bailey drilled a single three-pointer. Despite the valiant effort, the Locomotives accumulated a total of 11 points in overtime to win 59-55.
The key factor in Montpelier’s triumph over the Eagles was their indisputable focus at the free-throw line; shooting 67% at the line as opposed to the Eagles’ 50%. The Locomotives also totaled 3 more turnovers, allowing for greater opportunities to score. North Central’s loss at home would set their record at 2-19 for the season. Coach Muehlfeld and the Locomotives would travel to Wauseon to try and earn their first league win in the NWOAL.