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Boys Basketball: Munster pulls away from Hammond with third-quarter run
Updated: December 2, 2011 11:44PM
HAMMOND — Munster was missing two-thirds of its starting front line Friday night, but that didn’t stop the Mustangs from claiming a 57-45 victory over Hammond.
Danilo Zekovic, a 6-foot-6 senior transfer from Serbia, was sitting out due to the IHSAA’s four-game suspension for his participation on a club team in Serbia. And 6-4 Mark Strbjak is still recovering from a back injury suffered during football season. But the Mustangs’ Nate Bubash stepped in to fill the void.
Bubash led all scorers with 22 points, including a 3-pointer and five free throws on six attempts. The 6-6 junior forward also pulled down 13 rebounds and dished a pair of assists.
“Nate’s a basketball player,” said Munster coach Mike Hackett. “Because of our lack of size, he has to play the post, but he can handle the ball and shoot the 3. I think he’ll give opposing centers some trouble this year.”
Bubash also provided the spark that ignited the game’s key run. With the score tied at 21-21 early in the third quarter, Bubash started a 10-0 Munster run with a backdoor layup off a feed from Scott Jerge. Bubash then grabbed a defensive rebound and took it the distance for another basket.
Jerge then scored on a breakaway off a steal and Bubash delivered again, this time off a drive from the top of the key. Jerge finished the run with two free throws and Munster (2-0) found itself with a comfortable 10-point advantage.
“We’re trying to teach our guys that the first three minutes of the third quarter are very crucial,” said Hammond coach Johnny Ryan. “I believe that’s when you win ballgames.”
Hammond (1-2) eventually narrowed the margin to 40-35, thanks to three consecutive 3-pointers from Joseph Pleasure late in the third quarter. The senior guard’s 13 points led the Wildcats.
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