by Leroy Kleimola
Shelbyville’s Owen Beyers poured in 29 points and the Rams once built a 14-point lead, but it was a dominant fourth quarter that carried the Taylorville Tornadoes to a 65–56 non-conference victory over Shelbyville on Tuesday night.
Taylorville came out firing behind senior forward Malique Pearse, who scored 10 points in the opening quarter. With additional contributions from Maddex Havera, Brock Brown, and Blake Ladage, the Tornadoes jumped out to a 21–11 lead after one. However, that early momentum would not last easily, as Shelbyville began a pattern of battling back each time Taylorville seemed ready to pull away.
In the second quarter, the Rams found their rhythm. Beyers scored 10 in the period, while Aiden Hardy added five and Gabe Georges chipped in three. Shelbyville outscored Taylorville 18–11 in the quarter to cut the deficit to just three, sending the teams into halftime with the Tornadoes clinging to a 32–29 lead.
Taylorville opened the third quarter with a quick 7–0 run to stretch the margin to 39–29, but once again Shelbyville responded. The Rams closed the period with an 11-point surge in the final 2:30, taking their second lead of the night. When the third-quarter horn sounded, Shelbyville was on top 40–39. The Tornadoes were outscored 11–7 in the quarter, and Havera, who had five points in the frame, fouled out before the period ended.
The game turned decisively in the fourth quarter. Taylorville regained control and poured in 26 points, getting to the free-throw line consistently and converting 12 of 16 attempts in the period. Pearse was nearly perfect at the stripe, hitting 7 of 8 in the fourth and finishing 8 of 9 for the game. Brock Brown delivered a huge final quarter, scoring 11 of his 17 points to help the Tornadoes pull away.
Despite hanging around for much of the quarter, Shelbyville could not keep pace with Taylorville’s late surge, as the Tornadoes closed out the win, 65–56.
Quarter Scores
Taylorville: 21 – 11 – 7 – 26 = 65
Shelbyville: 11 – 18 – 11 – 16 = 56
Malique Pearse was named the WTIM Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game after finishing with 21 points, strong defense, and a near-perfect night at the free-throw line.
Leading Scorers
Taylorville: Malique Pearse 21, Brock Brown 17, Maddex Havera 12, Blake Ladage 7
Shelbyville: Owen Beyers 29, Aiden Hardy 12, Gabe Georges 6, Karson Bruns 5