By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Carter Earl came off the bench and scored 13 of his 15 points after halftime including the go-ahead bucket in overtime as the Penn Yan boys’ basketball team rallied to defeat host World of Inquiry 61-58 in non-league action, Wednesday night.
Earl’s corner three on the third possession of the extra period gave the Mustangs a lead they did not surrender at 54-51.
“He just knows how to handle pressure,” third-year Penn Yan head coach Dan Doyle said of the junior guard who is also the starting quarterback on the school’s football team. “He doesn’t get fazed by it.”
Three possessions later, Earl set up teammate for Griffin Emerson for another 3-pointer to make it a two-possession game.
Carter Earl from the corner for a Penn Yan lead pic.twitter.com/LWsR2O4gJW
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 9, 2021
Trailing 36-26 at halftime, Penn Yan needed less six minutes to erase the deficit. Earl scored six straight during the comeback. His third field goal in as many attempts pulled the Mustangs within one at 36-35.
“He’s got the ability,” Doyle noted. “He cuts well. He might be the best athlete we have on the team.”
Earl’s basket late in the third gave Penn Yan a 43-42 edge heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.
But World of Inquiry surged back into the lead. Ronald Nunnally, Jr. got ahead of the for a layup and followed with a pair of free throws for a 51-45 Griffins lead advantage with less than four minutes remaining in the game.
“This is a group of seniors that have played a lot of basketball together,” Doyle noted. “That’s the key. They just keep playing hard.”
Rodney Nunnally, Jr. gets in the lane for 2. pic.twitter.com/Nxntr9He5U
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 9, 2021
When teammate Brigham Hansen forced a turnover in the closing seconds of the fourth, Earl grabbed the loose ball and led his teammate into the open court for the tying bucket.
“He just does little things. He buys into the fact that he doesn’t have to be a starter. I think that’s huge with him. They all buy into the fact that it’s 32 minutes and it doesn’t matter if they start or not.”
Brigham Hansen forces the turnover and finishes at the other end. Tied at 51 with 15.3 on the clock. pic.twitter.com/LGXXsTKjiT
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 9, 2021
Doyle commended the commitment to defense that his squad showed in the second half and overtime. After giving up 15 points in the first quarter and 21 more in the second, the Mustangs limited World of Inquiry to 15 points total in the third and fourth quarters.
“We played better defense,” Doyle said noting his team’s ability to limit dribble penetration and getting a hand in the face on 3-point attempts. “When you pick it up on the defensive end, it helps.”
Emerson led Penn Yan with 17 points. Hansen added 12, and Oliver Connelly had 10 points. Carson Nagpaul (2), Damion Hayes (2) and Tanyon Dunning (1) also scored for the Mustangs (3-0).
Brigham Hansen from Griffin Emerson and Penn Yan leads 43-42 heading to the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/WsgmRh3ygy
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 9, 2021
Nunnally led all scorers with 21 points. Teammate Christian Ortiz added 11 points. Jalen Breedy had eight. Jaedon Adams-Griffin (6), Sean Dillard (5), Keyon Concepcion (4) and Toney Henton (2) rounded of the scoring for WOI (0-3).
Christian Ortiz buries a 3 for a 47-45 World of Inquiry lead. pic.twitter.com/SHccaZq3sv
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 9, 2021
The same two teams meet in mid-January at Penn Yan.
The Mustangs host Mynderse on Friday.
World of Inquiry hosts Greece Olympia on Monday.
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