Comeback for the Ages: Tipp advances to regionals

If you were not at the UD Arena on the afternoon of Saturday, March 7, you might not actually believe when people tell you what happened.

Believe them…it happened.

Down 19 points, 52-33 with 7:16 left in the game, the Tippecanoe boys basketball team stunned everyone in the arena. They went on a 27-6 run in the final quarter to come all the way back to defeat LaSalle 59-58 and capture the Division III District Championship. 

“I am just proud of the kids and the way we responded the whole time, it’s still a little bit of a whirlwind to think back,” Tipp coach Brock Moon said on the court at UD Arena while his team was cutting down the nets. “I am proud of how hard we competed. I thought we made hustle play after hustle play and we hit some big shots, but those plays made the difference.”

Things started rough for Tipp, as the LaSalle size and athleticism bothered them in the opening quarter of the game. The Lancers built an early lead, after a 5-5 start, and reeled off 18 of the next 21 points to take a commanding lead.

David Alverez and Hudson Ganger each hit big threes late in the half to keep Tipp in the game, as they trailed 31-19 at the break.

Not much changed in the third as LaSalle answered anything Tipp had to come back with points, including an 8-0 run inside of three minutes to push their lead to 19.

It was 52-33 with 7:16 left in the game when things started slowly turning. Bailey and Alverez hit threes, and Colin Turner added a bucket to cut their deficit to 54-43. LaSalle then pushed their lead back out to 58-43 with 3:24 left. From there, Tipp’s defense did not allow a point the rest of the night.

The Red Devils outscored LaSalle 13-0 the rest of the way, with Turner hitting a big three, then after a scuffle, LaSalle was assessed two free throws, Bailey brought Tipp back to within nine.

With LaSalle leading 58-52, Bailey connected on a three inside of a minute, then a turnover forced by Tipp gave Ganger a three with 38.5 left. He buried a long three, and Tipp tied the game up.

Bailey hit a late free throw, and Tipp’s defense held to send the Red Devils to the regionals. 

“We talked at halftime that LaSalle shot really well, and they continued to,” Moon said. “The kids kept believing and never gave up hope.”

Bailey led Tipp with 23, Ganger added 15 with eight from Alvarez. 

“CJ made some big plays in the second half, that’s why he is Player of the Year, he made some big plays for us,” Moon said. “I had tears in my eyes. I am so proud of how we battled back.”