Tipp climbs back into MVL lead with win over Stebbins

The weather was blistering cold outside last Tuesday, but the Tippecanoe Red Devils had a very productive evening warming the nets. They had nine three-point shots, leading them to an impressive 67-52 victory over Stebbins to improve to 11-1 in the Miami Valley League and 13-2 overall.

What made the evening even better for the Red Devils was the big 60-52 Troy victory over Butler, knocking the Aviators out of the unbeaten ranks in the league. Both Tipp and Butler each had one league loss heading into the matchups last weekend.

“Watching them on film, they are a different team than they were at the beginning of the year,” Tipp coach Brock Moon said. “They play hard, they play together and are a super quick team.

I was pleased overall, but it was a bit of a roller coaster ride, and I asked the kids afterward about consistency. I think we need to be more consistent at both ends of the floor, and we have to figure out a way to put a whole game together.”

The Red Devils jumped out with a big first quarter. Larkin Thomas hit consecutive threes to open the game for Tipp. Then Jackson Davis scored five quick points to push their early lead to 11-4. It turned into a 21-8 lead when David Alvarez connected on a three with 1:13 left in the opening period. Stebbins did close the gap with three points to end the quarter, but the Red Devils used another big run to open the game up.

An 8-0 run to begin the second thanks to a three from Preston Zumwalt and five points from Colin Turner gave Tipp a 29-11 lead.

Stebbins did go on a 9-0 run to close their deficit to 12, but Tipp finally scored and held a 41-28 lead at the half.

Tipp put together a 10-2 run in the third period and pushed their lead to 51-32, ending the suspense as Tipp took a comfortable lead into the fourth.

“We did a good job when we came out of the locker room (in the second half), and I challenged the kids,” Moon said. “The first four minutes are huge in the third quarter and came out well. We just need to do it for 32 minutes and put a full game together.”

Bailey led the Red Devils with 21 points while Turner added 13 and Zumwalt scored 11.

Also last week, the Red Devils fell short to West Carrollton 49-45 to drop their second MVL contest of the season. That loss drops the Red Devils back into second place in the league.

Zumwalt had 17 points in the loss for Tipp while Bailey added nine.