Temple Christian stymies Fairbanks

LIMA - When a team executes its game plan, there's a good chance it will win.

That was the case in Temple Christian's 41-31 victory over visiting Fairbanks in Friday's Northwest Central Conference boys basketball game.

Temple Christian's zone defense kept Fairbanks off-balance as it shot just 23 percent from the field.

Temple Christian made just 34 percent of its shots, but made the key buckets down the stretch.

The Pioneers had three players score in double figures, led by Josh Kroehler's 14 points. The 6-foot-2 post player also pulled down nine rebounds.

Tyler Sutton scored 13 points and came away with 10 rebounds and four assists, while Austin Sutton scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers to help lead Temple (3-4, 2-0 NWCC)

Eli Morris was the lone double-digit scorer for Fairbanks (3-3, 1-1) with 13 points.

Temple Christian coach Bruce Bowman said his team came into the contest with the plan of forcing Fairbanks to shoot over its aggressive zone.

"I thought we came out in our 3-2 zone and did a nice job of making them shoot over us," Bowman said. "We were very active and we did a nice job of using our hands.

"We knew (Eli Morris) could really shoot ... and I thought we did a nice job of slowing him down."

Temple also controlled the boards, coming out with a 38-32 edge. In the first half, the Pioneers held a 22-12 advantage on the boards, which helped lead them to a 19-13 halftime lead.

"Fairbanks crashes the boards so hard," Bowman said. "That was a concern of ours, coming in. Josh (Kroehler) did a nice job, along with Tyler Sutton. They have good guards and also good post (players) ... so you kind of pick your poison."

Temple stretched its lead to 24-13 at the 6:30 mark of the third quarter after Austin Sutton hit a 3-pointer from the left wing, followed by two free throws by Tyler Sutton on the team's next possession. However, Fairbanks cut the deficit to 26-18 by the end of the third quarter.

In the final eight minutes of action, Temple made 6-of-13 from the charity stripe, while Fairbanks was 1-of-2. Brandon High made 3-of-4 at the stripe in the fourth quarter for Temple.

"Defensively, we executed very well, tonight," Bowman said. "Offensively, we did just enough to get the win against a very good Fairbanks team.

"To be 2-0 in the conference right now is big."