Hornets Bounce Back From Loss To Claim Share Of NIT Championship

With a win over Mater Dei in the final day of the Nashville Invitational Tournament, the Hornets claimed a share of the NIT Championship Saturday night. Front row, from left: Ryan Brink, Jaris Dalman, Anthony Harper, Daniel Thorson, Hayden Heggemeier, Joe Kirchner, Nick Wolf and Ryan Kell. Back row: Coach Patrick Weathers, Brogan Kemp, Coach Brad Weathers, Troy Pedtke, Hunter Cooper, Dylan Mueller, Royce Newman, Keaton Fuqua, Brady Bultman, Riley Edwards, trainer Jon Becker, Coach Jason Guest and Coach Kelly Cruser.

By Travis Volz

Despite losing for only the second time this season in the opener of the Nashville Invitational, the Hornets bounced back with three straight wins to wrap up a share of the tournament championship.

One day after the loss to T-town, Nashville easily handled Mascoutah with a 63-39 win.

The Hornets blew the game open in the first quarter, outscoring the Indians 22-8. Mascoutah never recovered, as Nashville cruised to an easy win.

Dylan Mueller and Royce Newman scored 14 points apiece to pace the Hornets’ offense. Hunter Cooper scored nine, and Brady Bultman and Daniel Thorson added six points each.

In another matchup of highly-ranked teams, it was Nashville finishing on top when the Hornets handled Central 48-28 Thursday.

With Nashville sporting a substantial size advantage inside, the Cougars were forced to do most of their scoring from the perimeter, and their shots were not falling.

“Obviously, they didn’t shoot the ball as well as they’re capable of,” Nashville coach Brad Weathers said. “I like to think our defense had something to do with that, but not all of it.”

When the Hornets last tangled with Central at the Mater Dei Tournament, the Cougars stayed close by knocking down three’s, but that was not to be in this game.

For More, Please Read The Jan. 28 Edition Of The Nashville News.