Have you ever wondered how a team can win a game by seven points but shoot just 29.5% from the floor? Making 22 out of 28 free throw attempts would sure do it. Tate Fullerton’s 22 points lifted the Hornets of Brown County by the Illini West Chargers by a score of 53-46 in the Day 2 10:30am game. The lead changed a whopping 16 times in this contest, with another 11 times where the score was tied. To say this was anyone’s game would be putting it lightly.
Trailing 29-27 at halftime, Illini West outscored the Hornets by three in the third quarter. The fourth was just as tight as the rest of the game, but late when it came to crunch time, the last nine points that Brown County scored were at the free throw line by Fullerton.
Brown County was led by Tate Fullerton with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and five steals. He shot an outstanding 18-for-22 from the free throw line, though he didn’t shoot near as well from the floor (2-for-13). Cole Behymer added in 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The Hornets also won the rebounding battle 32-28.
Illini West’s leading scorer was Nolan Deitrich with 13. Bradyn Robertson added in 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds and four steals. The Chargers went cold from beyond the arc, hitting just 4-for-18. Many of those shots were late in an effort to climb back.
Brown County (8-3) advances to face Illini Bluffs in the 9:00 Game 17 at Brophy Hall tomorrow morning. Illini West (7-5) has been eliminated from the tournament.
Box Score
Illini West Info
Brown County Info
Chris Derry
December 28, 2021
