A slow start befell the New Palestine Dragons today, as they went more than eight minutes without a field goal and ended up falling 56-48 to the Batesville Bulldogs.
NP scored the game's first basket, then saw Batesville go on a 17-1 run that put the Dragons in a 14-point hole midway through the second quarter. NP rallied to cut the deficit to 25-16 at halftime, and then Taylor Rainey and Josh Penley took over. Penley hit three driving baskets and Rainey got hot from outside, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers in a 13-point third quarter that cut Batesville's lead to 37-35 at the end of three. Justin Ikerd tied the game with two FTs at the start of the fourth, and then Rainey's long triple gave NP a 40-39 lead. However, Batesville's Wes Goldsmith quickly answered with a 3 out of the corner -- his fourth of the day -- to give the Bulldogs a 42-40 edge. Batesville would never trail after that, building the lead back up to 11 in the closing moments.
Rainey led the Dragons with 24 points. Penley had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. NP shot just 37% for the game, while Batesville was just a shade under 50%.
The Dragons' season concludes with an 11-12 record. Every roster player will return for the Dragons, who were comprised entirely of underclassmen this year and won one of the toughest sectionals in Class 3A.
Batesville (17-6) had three in double figures, led by Wes Goldsmith's 16 points. The Bulldogs move on to face #8 Roncalli, a 40-24 victor over Danville in the other game. A one-point contest through middle of the third quarter, the Rebels closed the game with a 15-2 run.
It was a mixed day for the HHC, as Delta fell to Columbia City 59-57 in the opening game at Blackford. Meanwhile, Pendleton Heights beat Fort Wayne Northrop 58-53 at Marion behind 41 points from Kellen Dunham. The Arabians will play Kokomo tonight.
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