NEW WASHINGTON— On the road in the house of the home team for sectionals is never easy, that’s what Crothersville had to deal with on Tuesday night. Opening their postseason against New Washington in the New Washington Sectional. The Tigers played the early game, which started at 6 p.m.

The Mustangs battled with the Tigers, eventually taking the victory thanks to a big second half. New Washington defeated Crothersville 49-41 to move on in the tournament.

Head Coach Bryant Layman spoke on the outcome with New Washington.

“We’re obviously pretty disappointed, you always want your season to continue,” Layman said. “I thought we shut their best player down, which as our goal coming into the game.”

The Mustangs opened up play with a three-pointer to take the early lead. Crothersville then forced a turnover to regain possession, Lucas Hilton scored for the Tigers after grabbing the offensive rebound.

A tough basket from New Washington made it 5-2 with 5:35 left in the first quarter. Tymir Cromwell answered with a three to tie it back at 5.

After a few tough defensive possessions, Dirk Crater found the bottom of the net to take a 7-5 lead. Cromwell missed his shot attempt but found an open Logen O’Sullivan at the top of the key, burying another three to take a 10-5 lead with 1:40 left in the first.

On the next possession, O’Sullivan would be fouled attacking the basket, missing both shots. The score remained 10-5 at the end of the first period.

The second quarter began with a Mustang basket to cut the lead to three. O’Sullivan was left wide-open once again, hitting another three to take the 13-7 advantage.

Adam Turner went to the line, hitting one of two to make it 14-7 with five left in the half. The Mustangs scored two quick buckets to make it 14-11, before O’Sullivan struck again hitting his third triple of the first half.

New Washington then rallied for their first lead since the beginning of the game, leading 18-17 to end the first half.

After a physical third quarter, both teams battled, sitting at 24-22 in favor of Crothersville with 2:39 left in the third period. A huge rebound then found O’Sullivan for another three to make it 29-22 with 1:35 left.

New Washington found themselves right back in it, making it a 31-28 game at the end of the third.

The fourth quarter is where the Mustangs took control and didn’t look back, ending the Tigers season. Crothersville held the lead throughout the third period. But New Washington tied the game at 33 with seven minutes left in the game.

Crothersville had issues at the free-throw line, and that was a big difference according to Coach Layman.

“They made a good adjustment on our offense late,” he said “Along with shooting 4-of-14 from the free throw line. That was the tell of the tape. I thought we played extremely hard though.”

A circus shot then went in for the Mustangs, getting the friendly roll to take the two-point lead. They added another basket to make it 40-36.

The Mustangs added another close shot with the foul, it was now 42-36 in favor of New Washington.

Elijah Plasse went to the line after getting the foul for the Tigers. He missed both shots, as the Tigers searched for a basket, before Beau Napier finally got one to go.

The Mustangs ran out the clock, advancing to the next round of the postseason. Crothersville fell to 6-18 ending their season, while New Washington picked up their 5th win of the year to advance to the next round of sectionals.

They will face Rising Sun in the sectional semifinals on Friday evening.

Crothersville was led by O’Sullivan who scored 12 points. Napier followed with 9 points, while Hilton and Cromwell both chipped in seven points. Layman also spoke about his four seniors in Plassem Hilton, O’Sullivan, and Turner.

“It’s tough to tell your seniors goodbye, a bunch of great kids and great athletes,” Layman said. “They’ve given us everything over these last few years.”

Paul Giltner led New Washington with 24 points.

New Washington Sectional

New Washington 49, Crothersville 41

Crothersville; 10; 7; 14; 10;—;41

New Wash; 5; 13; 10; 21;—;49

Crothersville (6-18): Logen O’Sullivan, 4 1-4 12, Beau Napier, 3 1-2 9, Tymir Cromwell, 3 0-0 7, Lucas Hilton, 3 0-4 7, Dirk Crater, 1 0-0 2, Mason Barger, 0 1-2 1, Adam Turner, 0 1-2 1, Cory Reynolds, 0 0-0 0, Baron Riley, 0 0-0 0, Evan Lanning, 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 4-14 41.

New Washington (5-18): Paul Giltner, 6 9-10 24, Connor Shaffer, 3 1-2 8, Cohen Briles, 3 0-0 6, Mason Arthur, 2 0-1 4, Miguel Hessig, 2 0-0 4, Landon Bower, 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14 10-13 49

3-Point Goals: Crothersville 7, (O’Sullivan 4, Napier 2, Cromwell) New Washington 1 (Shaffer)

Fouls: Crothersville 15, New Washington 14