Basic survives late Las Vegas rally to wrap up sweep of season series

Those expecting an encore performance of the first game this season between Basic and Las Vegas were disappointed Wednesday night. But even though the rematch between the two Sunrise Division teams -- who were tied for third place entering the game -- was not as dramatic as their initial meeting, there was one similarity: Basic prevailed.

Spurred by a 17-4 domination of the second quarter, the Wolves cruised to a 55-50 road victory over rival Las Vegas.

Though the final score doesn't indicate it, the game was a far cry from the double-overtime thriller won by Basic last Dec. 11. The Wolves (13-7, 7-3) led by as many as 20 points midway through the fourth quarter, only to watch the lead dwindle due to careless ballhandling and poor free-throw shooting down the stretch.

The five-point final margin was as close as Las Vegas (12-11, 6-4) got in the second half.

Basic survived a horrid first quarter in which it converted only 1 of 12 shots from the floor and turned the ball over eight times.

"We've come out flat the last three games," Basic first-year coach Kurt Bailey said. "We tried to get out of the blocks tonight, but we really didn't start executing until the second quarter."

Trailing 12-5 after the opening eight minutes, the Wolves were able to turn things around and take a 22-16 advantage into halftime. Las Vegas, which only shot 28 percent from the floor for the game, was never able to recover.

The main beneficiary of the Wildcats' poor shooting was Basic forward D'Auria Mosley. The 6-3 senior had 17 points and pulled down 12 boards, both game highs.

"I was playing against one of the leading rebounders in the division," said Mosley, alluding to Las Vegas' 6-6 center Casey Crockett. "So I came into the game ready to box out and play fundamental basketball. I take pride in my rebounding and like to think that every ball that comes off the rim is mine."

Mosley got support from teammate Mike Bentz, who finished with 12 points, including a key 3-pointer at the start of the fourth quarter that gave Basic a 43-25 lead. Center Ian Brown added seven points off the bench.

Las Vegas, which was without key contributors Jamill Ballard and Jacob Kauffman, were led by Crockett's 14 points and six rebounds.

"I don't want to use (the injuries) as an excuse," Las Vegas coach Tom Farnsworth said. "When that happens to a team, others guys have to find a way to step up."

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