SHELBYVILLE — The Hauser boys basketball team was outsized in its match against host Shelbyville.
The Golden Bears took advantage of their size early in the game with big man Chris Asher. Asher scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half to give the Jets an 81-57 defeat.
“We had our chances early at the start, but once their big men (Asher and Cameron Clouse) got going in the game, they were just more physical and aggressive than what we were,” Hauser coach Bob Nobbe said. “We took a step back, and that allowed them to push their lead to 20 points from that point.”
The Jets (12-10) did get a spark in the second quarter as Rory Thayer scored eight of his team-high 13 points in the quarter to spark Hauser to an 18-8 run to close out the first half and keep itself within striking distance at 43-29.
Once the Jets were able to add an extra body on Asher in the second half, they weren’t able to defend the perimeter, as Braden Cole hit six 3-pointers for the Golden Bears (11-10), with five 3’s coming in the third quarter to keep the advantage in their favor. Cole finished with a game-high 26 points.
“We were being very cautious on the inside,” Nobbe said. “Even doing that, they still have to find a way in guarding the perimeter. (Cole) got loose for some big 3’s. It seemed that every time that we made a run, they came right back with some big shots of their own, and it makes it tough to get over the hump when we needed to.
“I was proud of my guys for fighting,” he said. “I appreciated their effort. No matter who I rotated in there, they gave a very strong effort and never quit and just kept working at it.”
Dalton McKinney scored 11 points for the Jets. Quindon Shipley and Zach Johnson each added nine.
Even with the loss, it was a strong test Hauser, which heads into sectional play Tuesday against Jac-Cen-Del at South Decatur.
“We got some time here to practice before the tournament,” Nobbe said. “We have a lot of things we need to work on. Tonight was a good test and challenge for us, and it gave us an opportunity to try and elevate our game.
“We improved here in the second half of the season, and tonight was a good judge of where we are at and if we can match that intensity and elevate our game, we have an opportunity to play good basketball on Tuesday.”
