MANKATO — Mankato East performed just well enough at the free-throw, scoring its last 12 points from the line in a 59-56 boys basketball win over Big Nine Conference opponent Rochester Mayo Friday.
The Spartans (5-11, 3-6 in Big Nine) started hot as they jumped to a 28-15 lead behind five 3-pointers from Michael Franzone.
A fastbreak dunk from Brody Ziegler and a monster block from BeePee Pajibo ignited a 9-0 run for the Cougars (7-9, 5-5 conference) to cut the lead to four, but East’s eight first-half turnovers, many of which killed momentum for the Cougars, helped Mayo carry a 36-28 lead into halftime. Franzone finished 5 for 9 from 3-point range in the half.
Pajibo and Sam Onsomu scored 24 of East’s 28 points in the first half with 14 and 10, respectively. After his 15-point start, Franzone did not score for the last 10 minutes of the half.
“Brett Olson came in and blocked a couple of (Franzone’s) shots,” Madson said. “I think that kind of got him thinking about (shooting) a little bit. (Olson) played a real big role in cooling him off.”
Mayo jumped to a 13-point lead in the second half, but East staged a rally that included a Brett Olson 3-pointer that cut the lead to 45-43. On the next possession, a Jordan Benesh pass split two defenders and found Onsomu for an easy two and a 45-45 tie.
With 7 1/2 minutes remaining, Pajibo was called for his fourth foul, leading the Cougars into a three-minute scoring drought that was matched by the Spartans.
Ken King finally broke the scoreless stretch with an offensive putback that gave East their first lead of the half. Franzone answered immediately with a 3-pointer on the other end to reclaim the lead 48-47, but Olson hit two free throws to take the lead back.
The Spartans tied the game at 52 with a putback by Michael Idso, but Benesh responded with a free throw and a drawn charge that gave East a lead they would not lose again.
“I was really proud of our kids,” Madson said. “We played pretty lackluster to start, but our kids came back.”
The Cougars closed out the game by making 12 of 18 free throws and playing air-tight defense that limited Mayo to 7-for-27 shooting in the second half.
“We had some games this year where we could have won had we knocked some free throws down so it was nice to see it pay off,” Madson said. “We pay a lot of attention to free-throw shooting.”
Pajibo led East with 21 points and six rebounds. Onsomu had 15 points and eight rebounds.
“They’re both hard to guard,” Madson said. “That’s where we’re going to have our mismatches on most nights.”
Ziegler finished with six rebounds and King pulled down five boards. Franzone finished with 22 points for the Spartans.
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Related Photos
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Mankato East's Brady Dose (3) fires a 3-pointer past Rochester Mayo's Nicholas Bhaskaran Friday at East Gym. Wright Braudt
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Mankato East's Sam Onsomu (22) shoots over Rochester Mayo's Cody Gallaher to end a six-point Mayo run Friday at East Gym. Wright Braudt
East boys win at the free-throw line
Cougars hit 12 free throws down the stretch to seal the win
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