Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Free throw shooting dooms Wolves as Nashville posts 55-52 league win

Mediocre free throw shooting proved costly for the Curley Wolves as they fell 55-52 to Nashville Friday, Feb. 4.

The game was close throughout, though neither team really shined. This was most evident in the free throw stats as both teams were even at 50 percent. The difference was in the number of free throw show. Nashville fired 19, hitting nine, while Prescott had 32, making 16. A 75 percent effort from the Wolves would have resulted in a win.

There was little scoring early on as neither team could find the range. Prescott managed to score first, and built a 7-2 lead with 5:00 remaining.

Unfortunately, mistakes allowed the Scrappers to get in the game and take a 10-9 lead with 3:51 showing. Nashville found its range beyond the arc and took an 18-15 advantage into the second period.

Nashville built a five-point lead at 22-17, and maintained it for much of the period. Prescott was in the bonus situation with 5:54 left, but missed two free throws. With 1:53 showing, the Wolves trailed 28-23, but went on a 6-0 run to lead 29-28 at the break.

It was nearly a minute and a half into the third quarter before either team could score. The Wolves hit the front end of a one-and-one to make it 30-28.

From there, scoring slowed, as did the pace of the game. The officials let both teams play and weren't a factor in the outcome. Prescott held a slim 35-31 lead with 2:44 left in the third, and saw it slip away as the Scrappers went on a 7-1 run for the remainder of the frame.

Period four opened with Nashville up 38-36.

Prescott knotted the score, only to see the Scrappers respond to retake the lead. The teams were back and forth most of the quarter, with neither able to gain a clear advantage.

Fouls slowed the game to a crawl late. With 34 seconds showing Nashville led 50-48. Prescott had the opportunity to tie the game, but missed the free throws.

The Wolves were within one with 16 seconds showing, 52-51, and were forced to foul to have a chance at winning. The difference, though, is the Scrappers made more free throws when it counted.

A.J. Lewis was at the line with six ticks left with three shots. He had been fouled in the act of shooting a trey. He hit one of three, with Nashville snagging the board and getting fouled.

Luther Steuart led all scorers with 26.

Ryan Martin paced the Scrappers with 14.