California Pintos basketball began the second half of their season on Friday night with a conference showdown against the Hallsville Indians.
The Pintos were the underdog in Friday's game facing a Hallsville team won ten of their first 11 games and undefeated on their home court.
The Indians burst quickly out of the gates with a 12-3 run, starting the game off of four California turnovers. Pintos forward Hayden Kilmer kept the Pintos in the game with the help of the three-point line. Although Kilmer knocked down three three-pointers in the first half, Hallsville's offense kept wearing down the California defense.
Forward Isaac Stinson led the Indians 31-22 at halftime.
In the second half, California was in need of a run to get back in the game. Despite California's game plan, Stinson and the Indians countered every California score with a basket of their own. Stinson scored nine points in the third quarter while California missed all four of their free throws attempts in the quarter.
Hallsville continued to keep California in the fourth quarter and won the game 62-44. California's record dropped to 6-5. Hallsville's record improved to 11-1.
California shot 37 percent from the field (16-43), 44 percent from the three-point line (7-16) and 50 percent from the foul line (5-10).
Hallsville shot 49 percent from the field (25-51), 36 percent the three-point line (10-28) and 67 percent from the foul line (2-3).
Kilmer led California with 21 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Guard Ayden Bryant had six points, four rebounds and two steals. Guard Chase Trimble had six points, a rebound, an assist and a block of the bench. Guard Gavin Porter had five points and three rebounds.
Stinson led Hallsville and all players with 22 points, six rebounds, three blocks and a steal. Guard Trevon Evans had 11 points, four assists, two rebounds and two assists. Guard Cameron Cox had nine points and four assists. Guard Zach Jouret had eight points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
California head coach Brad Conway said his team hurt themselves with turnovers in the first half and a lack of consistency in the second half. He addressed consistency has been a big problem for California throughout the season, but hopes that things will turn around during the California Tournament this week.
"They come in waves and they play extremely hard. We tried to get that in our guys heads since Wednesday. They shot the ball well tonight and we didn't take care of the ball very well. Turnovers hurt us and we missed shots," Conway said. "This game is now over with. I told the guys that we know we can play better than what we played tonight. We need to be more consistent, which is a word I've been using most of the season. Now we get to play three extra games at home as part of our tournament."
The Pintos were scheduled to play against Warrensburg in the first round of the California Tournament on Tuesday night. The game was postponed due to weather and will be made up at an undetermined date.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Forward Will Edwards shoots a floater of two Hallsville defenders on Friday night.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Gavin Porter recorded five points, three rebounds and two steals against the Hallsville Indians.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Sophomore forward Blaine Kusgen had four points and two rebounds of the bench for the Pintos on Friday in H
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Point guard Brooks Volkart dished out three assists and recorded three steals against Hallsville on Friday night.