Tigers edge Wyalusing, 43-41 in AA consolation game
By: Chris Manning | Towanda Daily Review | March 2, 2018 | Photo courtesy Chris Manning
MANSFIELD – When his team needed him most North Penn-Mansfield's Dylan Meyer delivered.
The Tigers were plagued by foul trouble all game long while they struggled from the outside (2-for-14 on 3-pointers).
But Meyer's consistent production in the paint – a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds – was enough for NP-Mansfield to edge Wyalusing 43-41 in the District IV, Class AA boys' basketball consolation game Thursday.
"It feels good," Meyer said about NP-Mansfield punching their ticket to states. "I would like to go far in the state tournament. We fought all throughout districts. Its sad we lost to Muncy but I'm just happy now we can compete in the state tournament."
Two weeks earlier when NP-Mansfield beat Wyalusing in the first round of the NTL Showdown it was Garrett David who hurt the Rams inside.
But he was tweeted for his second foul a little over four minutes into the game and sat the rest of the half. That's when Meyer put it into high gear.
"I knew I carry a high role on this team, leading in points," he said. "I wanted to pull through and get a win for my team."
Fouls were problem for big men on both teams. NP-Mansfield's Sawyer Freeman, who came in for David, and Wyalusing's Chandler Brown both fouled out while a few others sat long stretches throughout the game.
"You've got to deal with it," said Meyer. "You can't control it and if you fight against it its just going to fight against you."
David did finish with 10 points and three steals while the Tigers saw a total of six player score. Jayden Andrews had four points, six steals – four in the second quarter alone – and three rebounds, Brent Burleigh had four points, three rebounds and five assists, Jacob Green and Sawyer Freeman both added three points while Nick Kasper was held scoreless but did contribute two rebounds, three steals and three assists.
It was a two man show for Wyalusing as Jon Morrison and Will Martin combined for 37 of their 41 points. Morrison had 22 points, eight boards and three steals while Martin added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Kasar Cameron had four points, nine boards, two steals and two assists off the bench and in limited minutes as he also found himself in foul trouble. Calvin Burke added four rebounds and Eli Bennett nabbed two steals.
David started the game where he left in Wyalusing, scoring the first four points of the game to put NP-Mansfield up 4-0.
Morrison hit a three to cut it to one followed by both teams trading buckets for a 6-5 Tiger lead halfway through the opening quarter.
Burleigh and Meyer worked a little high-low action to make it 8-5 Tigers but Wyalusing scored the final six points of the quarter – a Cameron basket with back to back hoops from Martin – take an 11-8 lead.
The Rams extended it to 13-8 off Martin's third straight bucket but a Freeman three pointer off a Kasper assist started a 7-0 run for the Tigers as they took a 15-13 lead.
A Martin lay-up followed by Morrison bagging a 3-pointer put the Rams back on top 18-15 but another 7-0 NPM run put them on top 22-18. A Morrison free throw cut it to 22-19 but Burleigh had a late lay-up to make it 24-19 NPM at the half.
The Tigers were able to extend their lead to 28-21 at the start of the third thanks to buckets from David and Meyer.
Wyausing would get a pair of free throws followed by a Cameron lay-up to cut it to a two point deficit.
From there the two teams traded baskets with NPM taking a 32-29 lead into the final frame.
The game tightened up even more in the fourth. A 5-1 run to start the quarter put Wyalusing back on top 34-33.
The lead would change hands twice more before the teams became tied up at 36-all with Morrison hitting a free throw to make it 37-36 Rams.
With 3:31 left David hit a lay-up to put the Tigers up 38-37 but Morrison came back with two free throws of his own as the Rams led 39-38 with 3:18 left to play.
Andrews tied it with a free throw with 2:22 left. Then with two minutes to go on the dot Martin hit Morrison for a bucket to put the Rams up 41-39. It would be their last lead and the last time they scored.
After back to back stops David got to the foul line, making the first of two to cut it to 41-40. On the miss Meyer got the offensive rebound and put back to put NP-Mansfield up 42-41 with less than a minute to play.
"It's a once in a lifetime moment," Meyer said about his big play of the night. "To be able to do that for your team to help them win a game like this."
On the other end Wyalusing had a good look but missed the jumper. NPM left the door open as Kasper missed a free throw with 20 seconds left but a Wyalusing turnover on the rebound gave it right back.
Burleigh made one of two, giving Wyalusing one last chance.
NPM smothered Morrison, though, and he couldn't get a clean look at a three as the Tigers survived to advance to the PIAA tournament.
Wyalusing ends the season on a low note, they lost their last three games of the season, but they did win their first NTL title in 10 years this season so their strong senior class doesn't graduate empty handed.
As for the Tigers, they will play a play-in game on Tuesday but for now Meyer and his team is just happy with coming out on top.
"Any win like this is a good win."
