Late rally propels Gents past Bulldogs

The Crowley Gents erased a nine-point halftime deficit by erupting for 31 points in the final two frames to slip past Iota, 46-45, Tuesday evening on the Bulldogs’ home court.
Crowley improved to 4-11 with the victory.
Iota fell to 9-7.
“This was the first time this season that we have strung together two wins, so that is big for us,” said CHS coach Jason Lewis. “I think the kids are starting to understand the system a little bit better and we are starting to put things together.
“We knew Iota was a good team - they are always tough, and coming in, I thought we had a decent chance if we executed.”
That execution wasn’t exactly going the way Lewis had hoped early in the game when the Gents managed just four points in the second quarter and faced a nine-point deficit (24-15) entering the break.
The Gents made some minor adjustments during the half, however, and it paid dividends in the third quarter.
The Gents held the Bulldogs to just three points in the period and they rallied to knot the game at 27-27.
“We had a really bad second quarter but we never panicked,” said Lewis. “I decided to come out and put more pressure on the ball in the second half to try and take them (Iota) out of their offense and that worked. They really had no adjustments to it.”
The Gents got two big 3-pointers from Chris George and Trevon Flugence early in the fourth quarter to take a 35-31 lead and they added a free throw on a technical foul to push the lead to five (36-31).
The Bulldogs chipped away at the lead and Chase Lalonde’s 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining trimmed the lead to one (40-39).
After the basket, however, Lalonde was whistled for his second technical and Crowley’s Cam Scott sank both free throws to give the Gents a little breathing room.
The Bulldogs cut the lead to one three more times down the stretch, but they were unable to take the lead.
The Gents missed a pair of free throws with just over 20 seconds remaining, but Trevonta Ben hit one of two shots from the stripe with 8 seconds left to give the Gents a 46-44 lead.
Luke Duhon missed a last-second shot to tie the game for Iota, but he was fouled and went to the line for two shots with no time remaining.
He missed the first but he made the second to end the game.
The Gents went just 9-for-15 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter but they made some big free throws down the stretch to help preserve the victory.
“We gave up some big shots in the fourth quarter, but we hit a few free throws to maintain the lead,” said Lewis. “We found ways at the end and I was proud of the kids for not giving up. They continued fighting and they saw the momentum shift and that gave them a little life.
“We found a way to finish it off and it was spread out through everybody.”
The Gents had three players score in double figures.
James Collins led the way with 12 points, including six in the final frame. He also pulled down 14 rebounds.
George and Zuri Poullard each added 11 points. Poullard hit all four of his free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
In addition to the leaders, Ben scored seven points, Flugence had three and Scott finished with two.
Duhon paced the Bulldogs with a game-high 14 points. Lalonde and Cole Breaux each added eight points, Andrew Thibodeaux scored five, Payton DarDar and Kolton Morgan each had three and Connor Daigle finished with two.
Iota returns to action on Thursday with a road trip to South Beauregard.
The Gents will be in action again on Friday with a game at Pine Prairie.