Bulldogs come back from 10-down at half to beat Lake Central 53-52, as Smith scores two free-throws with 4-seconds left in game

A USA-365.com Special Report  by Mark Smith
04-06-2020

Team /Record - Boys Game	1	2	3	4	Final
LAKE CENTRAL (11-10)	16	16	11	9	52
CROWN POINT (11-10)	15	7	13	18	53

Friday, February 21, 2020 - Duneland Athletic Conference game at CROWN POINT, Ind.

Feb. 21 was 'Senior Night' as CP welcomed in rival Lake Central. The gym was dressed for the occasion. (All photos by Mark Smith)

CP senior cheerleader Tayler Gomez was honored and his brother, former CP running back Tyler Gomez (right) came back to be a part of it with mom and dad.

One thing about playing Lake Central. They show up. LC's cheerleaders rose up in the shadow of the bulldog to lead the LC student section.

CP senior cheerleader Lily Breuker has more gifts than she can carry during the 'Senior Night' ceremonies.

CP center Ben Uran, his mom and his dad, CP mayor Dave Uran were all smiles on 'Senior Night.'

CP senior Miles Lubbers hit a big three-point shot during Crown Point's rally from a 10-point deficit against Lake Central.

CP sophomore Drew Adzia (14) works off the screen by Ben Uran to shoot a 3-point shot against Lake Central. Adzia scored nine of his 15 points in the second half.

CP junior Ty Smith (12) looks to score against LC's Jerry Edwards (2). Smith scored 18 points with four rebounds and four assists.

LC top scorer Nick Anderson (0) runs CP's David Brown (30) through a screen against the Bulldogs. Anderson led all scorers with 24 points.

'Senior Night' was big for Dylan Matusak, his mom and dad and his two future Bulldog little brothers.

CP senior cheerleaders include (left to right) Miracle Powell, Taylor Schubert, Skylar Kroner, Tayler Gomez, Lily Breuker and Callie Cotton.

Junior Ty Smith watches the JV game in the 'runway' before CP's varsity took the floor. Smith would score the winning points as CP beat LC 53-52. (All photos by Mark Smith)

Copyright © 2019 USA-365.com and Meyer Multimedia Services, a division of Meyer Broadcasting Corp.  All rights reserved. Revised: April 06, 2020 .

LAKE CENTRAL (52) Nick Anderson 8-3-24, Jery Edwards 1-0-2, Ami Kharta 3-2-8, Kyle Blum 2-3-9, Nate Oakley 2-2-6, Jaidon Clayton 1-0-2, Hunter Zezovski 0-1-1, Graham Weber 0-0-0, Mark Milausnic 0-0-0, Kyle Nichols 0-0-0. TOTALS: 17 (9-14) 52.

CROWN POINT (53) Ty Smith 6-5-18, Drew Adzia 5-0-15, Luke Hanlon 0-0-0, David Brown 3-0-8, Jake Oostman 1-1-3, Miles Lubbers 1-0-3, Ben Uran 3-0-6, Darren Roach 0-0-0, Felix Meeks 0-0-0, Dylan Matusak 0-0-0, Orion White 0-0-0. TOTALS: 19 (6-13) 53.

FREE THROWS: LAKE CENTRAL (9-14, 64.3%) Anderson 3-3, Blum 3-4, Oakley 2-4, Zezovski 1-2, Edwards 0-1.
CROWN POINT (6-13, 46.2%) Smith 5-9, Oostman 1-2, Uran 0-2.

3-GOALS: LAKE CENTRAL (9) Nick Anderson 5, Ami Khatara 2, Kyle Blum 2; CROWN POINT (9) Drew Adzia 5, David Brown 2, Miles Lubbers, Ty Smith.

FOULED OUT: None.

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And then ‘stuff’ happened.

Among the ‘stuff’ was 6-foot-1 junior Crown Point guard Ty Smith.

On ‘Senior Night’ when CP seniors players, cheerleaders and dance teams members were honored, it was the junior Smith who scored 11 of CP’s final 18 points, including two free throws with four seconds to play to give the home team a 53-52 win.
 
LC’s Kyle Blum hit two free throws with 42 seconds to go to put LC up 52-49 but Smith, who is Crown Point’s leading scorer, drove to the basket and scored with 40 second to go and scored while being fouled. He missed the free throw but LC also missed foul shots moments later.

Smith, who averages 18 points a game, was fouled trying to score the go-ahead basket and he made both free throws for the home team victory.

LC leading scorer Nick Anderson, guarded by CP junior David Brown, was forced into a 30-footer at the buzzer, which missed as the CP student section rushed the floor.

“What a great win,” said coach Clint Swan.

“We knew what (LC’s last play) was off that center screen. David Brown put in a great effort. I’m really proud of him.
“That last moment was indicative of our whole season. He (Smith) is our go-to guy and he made those two free throws. Sensational. He was the best player in the game.”

DOG NOTES: Crown Point closed the regular season with a 53-44 loss at Lowell on Feb. 28 to finish at 12-11 after a 3-6 start. CP ended the regular season at 13-8 last season and wound up at 14-9, losing to Class 4A Sectional 1 champion Munster.

The Bulldogs were moved back to 4A Sectional 2 this season. Crown Point drew Chesterton in the sectional semifinals. CP has lost six games in a row to Chesterton going back to the 2017 season and the Bulldogs’ worst loss this season was 61-41 to Chesterton on Jan. 24.