Fifth ranked NU High of Cedar Falls opened the fourth quarter by outscoring number-three Lynnville-Sully 14-5 enroute to a 54-46 win over the Hawks in the Class 1A opener.
NU High senior Kyle Denning says they knew it would be a defensive battle as Lynnville-Sully was only giving up 37 points a gam. Denning scored eight quick points to open the fourth quarter as the Panthers grabbed control. He says he knew as the team leader he needed to step up and give the team a spark and they played well off that.
It was a hard fought defensive battle for three quarters and the game was tied at 28 heading into the final quarter. Lynnville-Sully coach Nick Harthoorn says it was anybody’s ballgame heading into the last quarter and NU made some big shots and found their stride in the fourth quarter. Chase Cullen led the Hawks with 14 points as they end the season with a record of 23-3. Harthoorn says it has been a special year and he’s glad they had the opportunity to play at the state tournament.
Denning finished with 20 points for NU High while fellow senior Andrew Stone led the team with 23 as the Panthers improve to 24-2.