Tyler Smith
FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – The Northeastern boys basketball team was able to overcome a slow start on Tuesday night as the Knights cam from behind to defeat Rushville 66-62 in Larry Moore Gymnasium.
“Tonight’s game was about perseverance,” Northeastern Head Coach Brent Ross said. “We struggled from the field.”
The Class 3A No. 3 Knights were 3-of-18 from 3-point range and 23-of-61 for the game.
Northeastern trailed 21-10 at the first stop and remained behind at the end of the second and third quarters before putting together a rally at the end of the contest against the Lions (4-11).
Tyler Smith led the Knights with 32 points as he grabbed seven rebounds. He now has 972 career points as he passed Kevin Toschlog (2004-2008) to move into sixth place on Northeastern’s all-time scoring list. He also had five steals and three assists. With the assists, he became the all-time leader in assists for the Knights with 284. Reece Watt had 282 when his career ended in 1983-84.
Robert Smith tossed in 19 points and had a team-high 13 rebounds.
Bailey Stewart added nine points. A transfer from National Trail in Ohio, Stewart has 952 points in his career.
Northeastern won the JV contest 45-44. Jalen Hillard led the way with 14 points. Gabe Beatty had 11 points and Quinton West added 10.
The Knights (11-3) welcome Lincoln to Fountain City on Friday night for a Tri-Eastern Conference affair.
Box Score
RUSHVILLE (4-11) – Yurack 4 2-4 11, Sons 6 6-7 21, Sprinkle 2 0-1 4, Yager 2 0-0 4, Taylor 0 2-2 2, Green 3 3-4 11, Farley 2 2-2 7, Sheehan 0 0-0 0, Team – 20 15-20 62.
NORTHEASTERN (11-3) – Tyler Smith 10 9-13 32, Bailey Stewart 2 5-6 9, Robert Smith 8 3-4 19, Nate Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Harrison Rice 1 0-0 2, DaShawn Hampton 2 0-0 4, Austin Clay 0 0-0 0, Kaleb Mikesell 0 0-0 0, Jalen Hillard 0 0-0 0. Team – 23 17-23 66.
Rushville 21 33 48 62
Northeastern 10 29 46 66
3-pointers – Rushville 7, Northeastern 3 (T. Smith 3). Rebounds – Northeastern 32 (R. Smith 13). Turnovers – Northeastern 11. Fouls – Northeastern 19.
Northeastern Boys Basketball
Career Scoring Leaders
1. Cory Ryan (1995-1999) 1,445
2. Daryl Lane (1967-1970) 1,239
3. Brent Ross (1983-1987) 1,116
4. Cory Ross (1999-2003) 1,106
5. Ryan Kaufman (1998-2002) 1,067
6. Tyler Smith (2012-2015) 972
7. Kevin Toschlog (2004-2008) 952
8. Grant Esposito (2011-2015) 866
9. Mark Fowler (1997-2000) 825
10. Bill Garrison (1986-1989) 770