Tipp defense stymies Piqua 39-20

If you were in the mood for a high-scoring offensive attack, odds are you walked out of Garbry Gymnasium disappointed as Tippecanoe battled Piqua in a key MVL matchup last Friday night.

But defense was the name of the game for Tipp as they held the Indians to 20 points including 0 in the second period en route to a 39-20 conference win for the Red Devils.

With the win, Tipp improves to 16-3 overall and 13-2 in the MVL. Piqua drops to 1-17 overall.

Tipp exploded out to a 10-2 lead through the opening period as Jackson Davis scored four quick points, while Larkin Thomas and Colin Turner each connected on long threes.

The Red Devils only allowed four points to Piqua in the first quarter as they dominated the glass, outrebounding the taller Indians by double in the game.

“That was a huge focus for us,” Tipp coach Brock Moon said. “We haven’t been rebounding the ball well the last four games. We made it a focus and I think the kids bought into it.”

The second period was one the Tipp coaching staff has to be pleased, holding Piqua scoreless for the eight minutes while adding to their lead.

CJ Bailey scored the last eight points of the quarter including a pair of threes with the Red Devils building a 26-4 lead at the break.

With Tipp being held to only 39 points, those eight minutes were crucial in the Red Devils attack.

“We had a great run in the second quarter and a huge part of that was CJ Bailey,” Moon said. “A steal and a dunk, then came down and took a charge on the other end. He followed that up with two straight threes. That run by him ignited us a little bit. We still need to learn to put four quarters together.”

Tipp struggled offensively in the third period, held to only four points as Piqua cut into the lead and trailed 30-10 after three. Bailey was also injured, going in for a dunk attempt, but later returned for the Red Devils.

Piqua actually won the second half, outscoring Tipp 16-13 in the final two quarters, but the Red Devils maintained the lead and never was threatened, cruising to the win.

Bailey led Tipp with 13 points and Davis added eight.

Tipp played without Preston Zumwalt for the game, and the Red Devils adjusted to not having him on the floor.

“When you lose your second leading scorer and a kid who can shoot and defend like Preston, it makes a big impact,” Moon said. “We got to play a ton of guys tonight and did a great job of getting reps at the varsity level.”

*Also last week, Tipp defeated Fairborn 58-39 as Bailey led the Red Devils with 30 points and 16 from Zumwalt.