Gillespie uses big run to get past Vandalia’s boys

By Editor | December 17, 2014 |

GILLESPIE —A long layoff may have caught up with the Vandalia Vandals.
The Vandals returned to action after nearly two weeks off and suffered a 70-62 loss at Gillespie on Friday night.
The Vandals hadn't played since Nov. 29, when they finished the Canton Tournament. And after a solid first quarter, the rust showed in the second period, as the Vandals could only watch as the Miners went on a 17-0 run to pull away for good.
The Vandals made a push in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough, as Gillespie hit enough free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
"In the first 10 minutes of the game we played outstanding," Vandalia Coach Brian Buscher said. "In the middle of the second quarter, they scored on 12 of 13 possessions. And we scored on one of 13 possessions. That was basically the difference in the game. A six-minute stretch killed us."
The Vandals fell to 0-5 with the loss. The Miners improved to 3-4.
Buscher said he was proud of how hard his team played.

Game Stats
Collin Nestleroad led the Vandals with 29 points, with 16 points coming in the fourth quarter.
Evan Price led Gillespie with 36 points. He made 16 of 17 free throws. Price hit 11 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Gillespie made 24 of 28 free throws in the game, while Vandalia made 12 of 23 at the charity stripe.
"They drove to the basket a lot," Buscher said. "The Price kid was a load and our backside rotation wasn't there."

Game Recap
The game was tied at six when Nestleroad scored six-straight points, converting an old-fashioned three-point play and then draining a three-pointer for a 12-6 lead.
The score held up at the end of the first period.
The Vandals took an 11-point lead early in the second period after hoops from Lott and a trey from Well, as the visitors went up, 17-6.
But Price led Gillespie back into the game by driving to the hoop again and again. After trailing 19-8, Gillespie went on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 21.
The Miners then pulled ahead, continuing to push the pace.
The Vandals went cold from the field late in the second period, while the Miners went on a 17-0 run to finish the half. Gillespie led, 31-21, at the half.
The Vandals cut Gillespie's lead down to single digits at the end of the third period, as the Miners led, 41-33.
Vandalia cut Gillespie's lead to six early in the final frame.
But late in the game, the Vandals didn't gain any ground by trading baskets.
Gillespie made 15 of 18 foul shots down the stretch to hold on.
Game Notes
The Miners entered the game with wins over Staunton and Carlinville, and with losses to Morrisonville, Gibault Catholic, CORL and Nokomis.
Vandalia played Carlyle on Saturday and Hillsboro on Tuesday. See related stories for those results.

Vandalia, Gillespie
VA 12 9 12 29 — 62
GI 6 25 10 29 — 70
Vandalia: Collin Nestleroad 29, Robby Lott 6, Richie Well 10, Nathan Casey 9, Austin Durbin 4, Drake Dokey 4.
Gillespie: E. Price 36, Zenner 10, Alepra 10, Wargo 4, Tieman 4, Hayes 2, Fox 2, N. Price 2.