By Spencer Spilman
The Hays Rebels played another close game against a fundamentally sound Anderson Trojan team Friday at Bales Gym.
But a blown Hays lead allowed Anderson to craft a great comeback to win 50-47.
Hays started the first quarter on fire from the floor, while Anderson couldn’t hit anything.
Hays’ Dawson Moreland and Matthew Rindahl hit three pointers, while Charles Bohannon distributed the ball on a few of his eight assists.
Rindahl, who led the Rebels with 12 points, guided Hays to a 15-2 lead after the first quarter.
But the Trojans, who had a tough time on offense in the first quarter, turned up the heat in the second.
After holding Anderson to just two points in the first quarter, the Rebels were limited to only two points in the second frame.
A 13-point Hays lead was quickly cut down after the Rebel offense stalled and Anderson started getting the shots to fall.
Anderson’s Colin Frame was the catalyst for Anderson as he dominated inside and scored a game-high 19 points.
Hays lead shrunk to 17-12 at halftime.
Anderson in the second half continued the scoring while Hays just tried to keep up.
Frame dominated while Adam Brutocao, who finished with 14 points in the game, caught fire from long range.
Brutocao and Frame were the only two players for Anderson to score in double figures.
Hays had three players in double figures. Bohannon finished with 10 points.
Rebel guard Dustin Bruno turned his game up in the second half . He finished with 11 points as he took over Hays’ offense.
The Trojans won the third quarter and found a way to tie the game for the first time. After three quarters, both teams were tied at 30 points each, which set up an exciting fourth quarter.
Hays had every opportunity to win the game but missed several easy layups and found itself behind.
Anderson continued to knock down shots as Hays attempted to answer. The Trojans knocked down free-throws while the Rebels missed six throughout the game, which ultimately cost them.
Hays head coach Sam Lunz was disappointed in the finish of the game, and especially the missed free-throws and turnovers.
“We did all the right things in order to win the game, but we missed some key free-throws down the stretch and missed some layups that I would say we normally would make,” said Lunz.
Hays will host Westlake at home on Friday.
