BOYS BASKETBALL: Long road trips result in losses for Indians

Du Quoin nursed a small lead for most of Friday night's conference road game with Anna-Jonesboro, but the Wildcats made a charge in the second half and sank 5-of-6 free throws in the overtime to come out of it with a 53-49 victory.

Caleb Vogel had a huge night offensively for the Indians with 24 points - including 4 three-pointers - but only three other Indians scored in the contest. Hank Stewart scored 10 points, Tucker Kuhnert had 8 and Jacob Wright finished with 7.

Meanwhile, three A-J players finished the game in double figures and the Wildcats went 16-of-25 at the free throw line for the game with a dozen of those makes coming after halftime. DHS attempted only five free throws after the break, making two.

The Indians led after every quarter except the fourth - 13-8, 23-29, and 35-32.

Free throw shooting would not be a factor in Du Quoin's second long road trip of the weekend on Saturday night at Massac County High School in Metropolis.

The Patriots led the Indians just 33-27 at the break, but exploded for 43 points in the second half, going on to win it 76-48. Four Massac County players finished the night in double figures.

Vogel and Wright each had 15 points for Du Quoin, Brock Bullar added 7, Ashton Smith 5, Braden Heape 3, Stewart 2 and Cole Hopkins 1.

Du Quoin (3-12, 1-3) will get a crack at Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division leader Nashville (9-6, 4-0) this Friday night before traveling to Trico (7-8) on Saturday.