Coming off a hot 64-57 victory over conference rival Versailles, the California Pintos basketball played their final game of the 2023 calendar year Thursday in Westphalia against the Fatima Comets.
Early in the game, forward Landen Dunham was injured and backup forwards Will Edwards and Blaine Kusgen filled his position for the rest of the game.
Despite Dunham's absence, the Pintos stayed within striking distance throughout the first half. Forward Hayden Kilmer put his own stamp on the game offensively by shooting 4-6 in the first half for nine points. Propelled by Kilmer, the Pintos managed to take a 27-26 lead into halftime.
California got into early foul trouble in the third quarter and allowed the Comets to grab the momentum. Fatima maintained their new-found energy by putting the ball into forward Levi Robinson's hands.
Robinson took advantage of the Pintos' foul trouble and shot eight free throws in the third quarter, scoring seven. However, California's offensive execution kept them ahead by one going into the fourth quarter. Kilmer scored nine points by himself in the third quarter for California.
Although the Pintos came back in the fourth quarter, they were once again plagued by foul trouble. Using the foul line again to their advantage, the Comets retook the lead with three minutes left to play. The Pintos offense continued with turnovers in the closing minutes and Fatima was able to pull away in the final minute.
The Comets pulled away to defeat the Pintos 66-59, knocking down 11 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter.
California shot 49 percent from the field (24-49), 44 percent from the three-point line (4-9) and 78 percent from the foul line (7-9).
Hayden Kilmer led the Pintos with a team-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds, two steals and two assists. Ayden Bryant added 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Brooks Volkart had nine points, seven assists, three steals and two rebounds. Gavin Porter had seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. As a team, California had a season-high 16 assists on Thursday night.
Fatima shot 40 percent from the field (17-53), 32 percent from the three-point line (6-19) and 79 percent from the foul line (26-31).
Robinson led Fatima with a double-double of 27 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and two assists. Guard Matthew Robertson made six of eight of his free throws and finished the game with 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Guard Easton Haslag made all eight of his free throws and finished the game with 11 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Despite his team's difficult loss on Thursday night, Conway said his team is playing better basketball over the past few weeks. However, he also knows his team could be in a better spot if they didn't let two games slip away -- their loss to Southern Boone on Dec. 15 and the loss to Fatima on Thursday.
"We need to do a better job of valuing our possessions, taking care of the ball and making good decisions. But our defensive effort is so much better than it was two to three weeks ago," Conway said. "I'm disappointed because I think we could very easily be 8-2 right now. But it is what it is. I told the guys there's nothing we can do about this one. We've got to move on to the next one and that's what they've been doing."
The Pintos will be back in action Jan. 5 in Hallsville.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Guard Brooks Volkart gave the Pintos a spark with nine points, seven assists, three steals and two rebounds at Fatima on Thursday.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Senior guard Ayden Bryant drives to the basket for two of his 11 points on Thursday night.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Chase Trimble completes a three-point play in the third quarters for California.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Sophomore forward Will Edwards played an effective role for injuried teammate Landen Dunham on Thursday night.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Head coach Brad Conway and the Pintos are now 5-4 on the season following Thursday's loss to the Fatima Comets.