New Hope dominated the middle quarters of play on Saturday to erase an early deficit and defeat visiting Horizon Science 88-70.
“I was really pleased with our intensity on both ends of the floor,” New Hope coach Shane Roese said. “Horizon Science always like to play an 84-foot game. They press you from the opening tip until the final buzzer.
“After about three-to-four minutes we really settled in and were able to control the tempo of the game.”
Senior wing Clayton Rhyne had another career night for the Statesmen, draining 16 of 29 (55.2 percent) shots on his way to 43 points. Rhyne made it a double-double evening by pulling down 11 rebounds, including five offensive.
“Clayton Rhyne was really outstanding tonight going for 43 points,” Roese said. “He beat their pressure all night long and was able to get to the cup at will. He was just relentless.
“I knew that he was going to have a big night based on the style Horizon Science plays. It was fun to watch.”
Hunter Cavanaugh followed with 14 points and dished out five assists, Lane Bruning stuffed his statistical line by also scoring 14 points to go with 15 rebounds and five blocks.
“Lane Bruning had another solid overall game, plus he affected shots at the rim all night,” Roese said. “Hunter Cavanaugh had his best overall floor game of the year with 14 points, five assists and only two turnovers.”
Adam Rink gave the Statesmen four players in double-figure points with 10 points. He also dished out four assists and had three steals.
The Statesmen jumped out to an 18-11 lead, but Horizon Science finished the first quarter on a 13-3 run to take a 24-21 lead.
“We turned the basketball over five or six times in the first quarter that led to Horizon Science scoring some easy baskets,” Roese observed.
The Statesmen started to take control for good in the second quarter with a 22-8 run that sent them into halftime with a 43-32 lead.
“We were able to settle in and really beat Horizon Science’s pressure,” Roese said. “Clayton, Hunter and Lane really did a nice job of keeping the basketball in the middle of the floor, where we could beat the press and get a lot of shots in the paint in transition.”
Roese said the Statesmen talked during the break about how important the opening minutes of the second half would be.
“At half we talked about the importance of the first four minutes of the third quarter was going to be where the game was going to be won,” Roese said. “We came out and played another solid quarter of defense and was able to extend the lead to 68-47.”
The Statesmen were able to outscore Horizon Science 42-34 in the paint and grabbed 48 rebounds to just 32 for the Hawks.
“We were also able to control the boards even though we were undersized at all but one position, so I was pleased with how our guys battled on the boards,” Roese said.
New Hope (8-2) returns to the hardwood on Friday and entertain Eastern Pike.
New Hope scoring: Clayton Rhyne 43, Hunter Cavanaugh 14, Lane Bruning 14, Adam Rink 10, Tyler Cook 3, Xander Rink 2, Ethan Cook 2
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