NM Edges Oskaloosa, 56-53
RD Keep/NM Communications
North Mahaska’s Nolan Andersen (24) battle Oskaloosa’s Gus Bunnell on a shot. Andersen scored 24 points to lead NM to a 56-53 win while Bunnell scored a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
OSKALOOSA – North Mahaska used the free throw line to its advantage in the final minute Tuesday to upend Class 3A foe Oskaloosa, 56-53. The charity stripe which, at times this season have let them down, became their friend. North Mahaska went 11-for-14 at the line including 4-for-4 in the final 22 seconds.
Oskaloosa (3-15) and North Mahaska (15-6) battled toe-to-toe throughout the night with six lead changes in the first half. Oskaloosa’s Max Roach drilled a 3-pointer with 2 minutes 49 seconds to play in the first half to give the Indians a 28-25 lead. Nolan Andersen gave the lead back to North Mahaska with a pair of 3-pointers of his own. Asher DeBoef added a basket to give the Warhawks a lead at halftime, 33-29, that would not be relinquished, but often challenged.
Highlight of the first half was Lucas Nunnikhoven’s half-court heave from the right corner that swished the net to give the Warhawks a 17-15 lead.
In the second half North Mahaska was able to build a lead to five or six points only to see Oskaloosa rally back. Gus Bunnell tied the game at 50-50 for Oskaloosa with 1:31 to play. Andersen answered with a jumper and DeBoef followed up with a pair of free throws. Aiden Scholes hit one of two at the line with 14 seconds left. DeBoef hit two more charity shots and Oskaloosa’s Gus Bunnell hit a shot in the closing seconds but left the Indians three points short.
The victory came off a hard-fought loss to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on Monday. The Warhawks challenged but was unable to catch up to the Rockets. Coach Seth Streebin felt that was the impetus for the Warhawks facing Oskaloosa.
“We are glad we played this game tonight,” said Streebin. “I felt the way we played at the end of the game last night would help us tonight. We needed this game.”
North Mahaska was without the services of Jack Kelderman, who was ill. Junior Adrian Smith, who saw some action against EBF on Monday, came off the bench to battle with the tall Oskaloosa five. He recorded three key rebounds and blocked a shot.
“I knew we could rely on him,” said Streebin. “He played well at Eddyville when we got in foul trouble.”
Smith left the game after a collision and hurt shoulder in the fourth quarter.
Andersen led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed five rebounds. DeBoef finished with a double-double scoring 13 points and snagging 12 rebounds. Gabe Hora and Lucas Nunnikhoven each scored seven points.
Roach led Oskaloosa wit 21 points including five 3-pointers. Bunnell recorded a double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
North Mahaska will close out the regular season Thursday when they host Martensdale-St. Marys in a JV-varsity doubleheader. They will begin Class 1A tournament play Monday when they host Moulton-Udell at 7 p.m.
