Basketball roundup: Madison tops Polk in foul-filled conference opener

Published 10:00 pm Monday, December 12, 2016

Polk County had nearly as much trouble keeping five healthy bodies on the floor Friday as the Wolverines did trying to top Madison.

A physical, frantic, foul-filled game fell in the Patriots’ favor, Madison engineering a 70-58 victory over Polk County in the Western Highlands Conference opener for both squads.

The two teams were whistled for 59 fouls and three technicals, and the constant stoppage of play seemed to affect the Wolverines (1-4, 0-1) on the offensive end, where Polk struggled to find any type of rhythm.

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The Wolverines also lost Holden Owens to an ankle injury in the first quarter and had Jaylon Bontrager and Seth Hardin miss time during the game with injuries, though both did return.

Bontrager’s injury came with three minutes left in the second period and the score tied at 22, and Madison (2-3, 1-0) promptly went on a 12-4 run to end the quarter. Dillon Overholt also picked up his fourth foul during that run, which gave Madison a 34-26 halftime lead.

Polk County pulled within seven, 40-33, on two David Horton free throws with 5:16 left in the third quarter. But, Madison answered with an 8-3 run to build a 14-point advantage and kept the lead in double digits the rest of the game.

Amir Gary scored 14 points to lead Polk County, which also got 11 from Overholt and 10 from Brandon Bacher.

MADISON GIRLS ROLL: Madison held Polk County scoreless until the second period and went on to record a 72-16 win over the Wolverines.

The Patriots (5-1, 1-0) built a 41-7 halftime lead and continued to expand the advantage in the final two quarters.

Autumn Owen had 10 points to lead Polk County (0-5, 0-1).

– article submitted by PolkSports.com