Tippecanoe boys get win over Troy in MVL battle

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TROY — The Tippecanoe and Troy basketball teams renewed their rivalry Tuesday night in a physical matchup at the Trojan Activity Center.

And while Tipp maintained its position as the team to beat in the MVL Miami Division, there were positives for both teams in a 64-45 Red Devil victory.

“For as long as I have been here (at Tippecanoe), this has always been a rivalry game,” Tippecanoe coach Adam Toohey said. “It was a physical game. Number 24 for Troy (Zach King) is a beast in there (in the post). This is always a big game. This and Butler have always felt like rivalry games. No (it didn’t feel like an 19-point game). It felt morel like eight or 10 points.”

It was actually six several times in the fourth quarter.

“Our kids really battled out there,” Troy coach Mark Hess said. “We played well. We didn’t shoot the ball that well, but I thought we played well. You have Tipp credit. They make plays.”

Tippecanoe led 14-6, 27-16 and 40-30 at the quarter breaks, but Troy refused to go away.

When King opened the fourth quarter with four straight points, it was 40-34.

But, Griffin Caldwell immediately hit a three at the other end to make it 43-34.

Troy’s Nick Prince followed with a 3-point play to make it 43-37, but Cole Coppock would show his presence in the post — scoring four straight to make it 47-37.

“Cole (Coppock) was strong (in the post) in the fourth quarter,” Toohey said. “I talked to him about that. That is something he needs to do for us.”

Prince and Kenyae Foster would counter with baskets to make it 47-41 with 4:49 to go, but Tipp would pull away from there.

“That was what was so disappointing about the final score,” Hess said. “It was a six to eight point game most of the game.”

Troy didn’t help themselves at the foul line — converting on less than 50 percent of its attempts. They missed six straight at one point in the fourth quarter when they had a chance to close the gap.

“Our free throw shooting was atrocious,” Hess said. “I told the kids that is on us. Not in negative way, but something we can improve on.”

Tippecanoe again showed good balance in scoring.

Stanley Clyne led the way with 15 point — eight in the fourth quarter including a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.

Caldwell had 13 points and Coppock scored 11 of his 12 in the second half.

Josh Dietz had 10 points and Gavin Garlitz hit two 3-pointers early and scored eight points — all in the opening quarter — to get Tipp off to a fast start.

“We had a lot of guys hit shots,” Toohey said.

Prince led Troy with 10 points.

Isaac Phillips scored eight and King had seven points and nine rebounds.

Noah Davis and Charlie Walked both scored six points.

Tipp was 20 of 42 from the floor for 48 percent and 17 of 24 from the line for 71 percent.

Troy was 17 of 49 from the floor for 35 percent and five of 18 from the line for 28 percent.

Troy won the battle of the boards 28-22 and both teams had 14 turnovers.

Tipp, 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the MVL, is off until Dec. 29, when Kenton Ridge visits.

Troy, 3-3 overall and 3-3 in the MVL, will face another tough test Thursday at Fairmont.

After a physical battle in early season MVL action.

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