If nothing else, Terre Haute South put some suspense back in the upcoming 4A state tourney. The Braves pushed #1 nationally ranked Ben Davis to the limit Monday evening before falling 54-51. It marks the first time this season the Giants have won by fewer than double digits. Nonetheless, Ben Davis showed composure down the stretch when they were challenged and claimed the outright MIC championship.
South made it clear from the outset that this would not be another walk in the park for the powerful Giants. The Braves recovered from an 8-2 mid-quarter deficit to lead 13-11 after one period. They then played an outstanding second period to grab a 30-19 lead at intermission.
Terre Haute maintained the margin through the third quarter, leading 41-33 at the end of three. However, you knew the Giants would eventually make a run, and they did just that. Ben Davis scored the first eight points of the final quarter and with a little more than five minutes to play all of the Braves’ work was out the window as the score was tied at 41. After a Terre Haute basket, Alex Bentley converted an old fashioned three point play and the Giants had their first lead since very early in the game. It was at this point that most teams would have folded, but South fought to the final horn. They were simply incapable of overtaking a Ben Davis squad that masterfully used the clock once they got in front.
The big guns were in evidence throughout this contest. Goss and Bentley combined for 35 of the Giants’ 54 points. Meanwhile, Smith and Grbic accounted for 32 of Terre Haute South’s 51 markers.
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