Indees struggle defensively in two losses

The Independence/Gilmanton boys basketball team hasn’t been able to get stops lately and that was the case again last week.

The Indees fell to Osseo-Fairchild, 81-34, on Monday, then lost to Melrose-Mindoro, 90-41, on Thursday. Those losses made it four straight games in which I/G had allowed at least 75 points. The team hasn’t held an opponent to fewer than 65 points since Feb. 2.

I/G (2-22, 1-19) earned the 15th seed in its Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association bracket and played at (2) Hillsboro on Tuesday. The winner of that game will play the winner of the game between (7) Wonewoc-Center and (10) Plum City/Elmwood on Friday. 

O-F 81 I/G 34

The Thunder put together a few big runs in the first half and never looked back.

O-F took control of the game with a 15-2 run early. A three-pointer by I/G’s Luis Ignacio snapped that streak and the teams exchanged baskets for a few minutes, but O-F went on an 8-0 run to take a 21-point lead. 

After the Indees scored a couple of baskets, the Thunder ended the half with a 19-0 run to take a 55-17 advantage into halftime.

The Thunder shot 38.4% from the field and made 13 three-pointers in the game. They controlled the glass, outrebounding I/G 48-28. The Indees shot 33.3% and struggled to take care of the ball, turning it over 33 times.

Ignacio led I/G with 11 points. Four O-F players scored in double figures as Mason Knudtson scored 13 while Mason Schmidt, Tryggve Korger and Dayne Lyngen all scored 12. 

I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Sandoval Barrios 0/1-0/0-1-1-0 N. Lopez 1/4-0/0-4-2-2 Gibbs 1/4-0/1-4-0-2 Ignacio 4/10-0/0-4-2-11 Kreibich 1/1-0/0-2-2-2 Parr 2/4-0/0-4-3-4 Pronschinske 0/0-1/2-0-1-1 Turner 2/5-0/0-4-0-6 Schank 1/7-4/6-3-3-6

Mel-Min 90 I/G 41

The Mustangs scored 21 straight points to take control of the game before halftime.

Mel-Min connected on a couple of three-pointers early, but Ignacio made one of his own to keep his team within striking distance. That was until the Mustangs scored the next 21 points to take a commanding lead.

The Mustangs led 47-24 at halftime and continued to control the game in the second half.

Ignacio led I/G with 17 points; Tyler Parr added 15. 

I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — N. Lopez 1/11-0/1-5-1-2 Gibbs 0/6-0/0-1-1-0 Ignacio 6/19-2/2-5-1-17 Parr 6/11-0/0-3-2-15 Pronschinske 0/2-0/0-2-1-0 Turner 0/5-1/2-8-0-1 Schank 3/6-0/2-1-3-6