Grant Bentley led the scoring charge with 23 points to help the Northmor Golden Knights (6-3, 3-0) knock off Mansfield Christian (6-2, 3-0) 63-53 on Dec. 30.
""Great team win against a one loss Mansfield Christian team with a ton of talent," said Coach Blade Tackett.
The Golden Knights led 14-12 after one quarter with Bentley putting up eight points early. Drew Hammond added four points and Trevor Brubaker scored two points. They outscored Mansfield Christian 18-13 in the second quarter, with Hunter Fulk scoring 13 points to lead the charge.
Leading 32-25 at halftime, the Golden Knights had a 13-6 third quarter advantage with Hammond scoring five points including a three. The Flames had a 22-18 four quarter advantage but the Golden Knights were able to hold them off and take a 10 point win.
Bentley had 23 points and was 9-for-10 from the foul line. Hammond scored 16 points and Fulk had 15 points in the win. Rounding out the scoring for the Golden Knights was Brubaker with six points and Cole Cuffman with three points.
"Hunter Fulk led us in the first half with three and-one plays and great ball-handling skills," Tackett said. "Grant Bentley and Drew Hammond also in double figures as they have been in many of our wins this season, and Drew with his 4th double double of the season. I have to tip the cap to our guards as we went guard-oriented with our best ball handlers in the second half and Cole Cuffman, Trevor Brubaker, and Hunter Fulk did a great job handling their relentless pressure for 16 minutes straight in the second half. We got great looks at the basket and forced them to take jumpers, which is exactly what we planned for."
On the season, Bentley is averaging 18 ppg while shooting 52% and 39% from downtown. He leads the team in points and much is due to his ability to get to the foul line and make his shots, as he is 32-for-41 on the season for 78%. He also averages 4.5 boards, 0.9 blocks, one steal and about an assist per game.
Fulk has been a big all-around producer averaging 7.2 points, 3.2 boards, 2.6 steals and three assists. The steals and assists are team highs. Hammond has been dominating the boards with 8.9 per game, and is close to a double-double per game with his 10.4 points.
Next up is Crestline (1-7, 1-2) for a road matchup on Jan. 2 starting at 7:30 p.m.
