First-half run vaults Pontiac past Prairie Central, gives Tribe IPC title

By Erich Murphy

Bingo Magic Sports

FAIRBURY — Pontiac put together a huge run in a span of slightly more than 4 1/2 minutes in the first half that vaulted the Indians into the lead in their Illini Prairie Conference girls’ basketball game against host Prairie Central. PTHS was challenged the rest of the way but left town with a 64-51 victory and a league title.

Pontiac’s Grace Lanning tries to maintain control of the ball as Anna Cutrell of Prairie Central tries to slap it away in their IPC basketball game Thursday. Lanning had 13 points in the Tribe’s 64-51 victory. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

The Indians finished the league campaign with an 8-1 record, tying Illinois Valley Central for first. By virtue of the head-to-head matchup, Pontiac gets the nod as title holder with its 50-46 win over IVC earlier in the season. The Hawks finished fifth at 4-5 in IPC play.

There is something of a backstory on a pair of players who played key roles in this contest. Before the game, the author of this piece was asked about Pontiac and its players. He noted that Bailee Branscum was capable of dropping 30 points if she got enough looks. It was also pointed out that she likely wasn’t going to get all of those looks.

Bailee Branscum eyes a 3-point shot in Pontiac’s IPC game at Prairie Central Thursday. Branscum hit five treys in the PTHS victory. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

However, Branscum got enough looks to score 15 points as she drained a quintet of 3-pointers. Three of those triples came in the Indians’ 17-point run at the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second. Her three treys came in a row and turned a 10-5 deficit into a 14-10 advantage.

Abi Nimbler sets up for a 3-point shot for Prairie Central. Nimbler made four 3-pointers for 12 points in the Hawks’ 64-51 loss to Pontiac. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

The other player was Prairie Central’s Abi Nimbler, who spent a good portion of her personal development (physical education) class shooting baskets (it was an approved activity), and making most of those attempts. Nimbler finished with 12 points after drilling a quartet of treys, all in the second half as the Hawks avoided a blowout. Three of those triples came later in the third period that helped cut a 44-25 deficit to 47-34. It was a 49-37 game after Jayla Hammond connected with a buzzer-beater that ended the third quarter.

Prairie Central got out to a fast start in taking an 8-0 lead. Pontiac started out cold and out of synch. But then things clicked the Indians were off and running.

Morgan Dewald of Pontiac gets her hand on the ball in a rebound attempt against Prairie Central Thursday. The Hawks’ Cadyn Pride is also battling for the board. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

Still, the Hawks stayed in there fighting. They were down 53-39 when the knockout blow came from what was an unlikely scenario. PC’s Cadyn Pride was called for a foul that sent Grace Lanning to the free throw line. As the official was making his way to the official scorer, he called a technical foul on Pride for allegedly using profanity.

The result was a five-point possession for the Indians as Lanning made a free throw, Trinity Miller drained two charity tosses and Morgan Dewald scored inside to push Pontiac’s lead to 58-37.

Trinity Miller comes down with a rebound for Pontiac. The Indians defeated host Prairie Central 64-51 behind Miller’s 18-point effort. (Erich Murphy/Bingo Magic Sports)

A late run closed the margin to the 13-point difference at the end.

Miller led Pontiac (18-10, 8-1) with 18 points. Branscum followed withe her 15 and Lanning tallied 13 markers. Dewald checked in with 9 points and Araceli Serna scored 6. Jo Duck completed the scoring with 3 points.

Hammond hit for 16 points to pace Prairie Central (13-14, 4-5). Nimbler added her 12 points and Addi Donley contributed 11 points. Lexi Donovan and Anna Cutrell contributed 4 points apiece while Tenley Kurtenbach added 2 points and Jules Woodrey and Aubrey Atkins had 1 point each.

Pontiac will host state-ranked Cissna Park in a makeup contest on Saturday. Prairie Central will next be in action on Tuesday at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley.

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