HS Boys Basketball: Mullins' free throws lifts Westside past Independence

Independence rallies from a 14-point third-quarter deficit, but falls on Mullins' free throw with no time left on the clock

Tuesday night in Coal City, Westside's Jacob Mullins stood alone at the foul line with no time left on the clock.

In a tie ball game, the senior guard needed to convert one of two charity tosses to secure the win.

Mullins wasted no time nailing the first attempt for a wild 76-75 in over AA Region 3 foe Independence.

Westside head coach Michael Asbury talked about the win over the Patriots.

After leading by 10 points at the break, the second half did not start well for the Patriots.

Falling behind by 14 points with 5:50 to play in the third quarter, Independence head coach Shawn Jenkins released some old school, fire and brimstone encouragement to his team during a timeout.

Independence responded and flipped the momentum of the contest.

Sparked by 19 points in the third period from senior Ashton Arthur, the Patriots rallied to twice tie the score, before trailing 53-51 when the horn sounded to end the quarter.

The fourth period was a wild back-and-forth battle between the two regional rivals.

A 3-point play by freshman K.J. Viars helped Independence tie the game at 55-apiece.

Westside pushed the lead back to four points before freshman Konner James scored on a layup.

James then forced a turnover and was fouled going in for another layup. Two made free throws and the games was knotted at 61 with 4:36 to play.

Independence added two additional free throws for its only lead of the contest, but two misses over that stretch prevented to lead from moving to four points.

Mullins tied the score for Westside at the two minute mark with a layup ahead of a strong baseline drive from Bradyn Waldron for a 69-67 lead.

A steal, followed by a layup from Cooper Hatfield advanced the lead to four points, but the home team came roaring back.

Trailing 75-73 with 21 seconds to play after Sylas Nelson scored off glass, Brock Green tied the game with a runner across the lane.

Independence then appeared to have the stop to send the game to overtime, but Mullins was fouled on the stick back just ahead of the final horn.

Waldron paced the Renegades with 25 points, while Mullins scored 14, Ethan Cline 11 and Hatfield added 10.

The loss spoiled a stellar performance from Arthur who scored 33 to lead the Patriots.

Independence head coach Shawn Jenkins talked about the game.

W: 17 16 20 23 - 76

I: 11 12 28 24 - 75

Westside

Bradyn Waldron 25, Jacob Mullins 14, Ethan Cline 11, Braxton Waldron 3 Ethan Walls 6, Hendrix Cook 5, Cooper Hatfield 10, Breyden Vance 2.

Independence

Ashton Arthur 33, Sylas Nelson 9, Brock Green 14, K.J. Viars 9, Degan Williams 1, Konnor James 9