By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com
CUSTER — Free throws are supposed to be the easiest shots to make, because there isn’t any defense standing in the way.
But, more often than not, they turn out to be the most difficult. The Mason County Eastern girls’ basketball team can attest to that after dropping Friday night’s Homecoming contest to visiting Big Rapids Crossroads, 43-34 in a West Michigan D League matchup.
It’s said the numbers don’t lie, and the numbers at the free throw line told a grim story for the Cardinals as they made just 6-of-29 attempts.
“I’ve been on them all year – you’re not going to win many games missing 23 free throws,” MCE coach Jake Smith said. “That is a way to open up the game. We missed 11 in the first half and went into the half up three. Even if we make another five (free throws), it’s a different game.”
Crossroads didn’t shoot much better at the line, but the Cougars scored 10 points there, and to make matters worse for the Cardinals, they finally found their outside touch in the second half.
Eastern managed a 9-7 lead at the end of a slow moving first quarter, and then built a 16-15 edge at the half with a 7-6 second quarter.
Big Rapids dominated the second half, outscoring the Cardinals, 14-8, in the third period to take a 29-24 lead and then finished with a 16-10 final run.
“The girls played a hard fought game tonight,” Smith added. “We came out with great intensity and had great defense the whole night.
“Crossroads knocked down some contested shots in the second half and were able to pull away. We had a poor night shooting from the free throw line and that was a key factor in allow them back in the game.”
Braylin Johnson paced the Cardinals with 12 points and Annabelle Zwagerman added eight.
The Cardinals fell to 3-11 overall, 3-7 in the league. Eastern travels to Brethren Wednesday for another league game.
