By MICHELLE GARMON
TIPTON — Tipton won both the rebounding and turnover battles and thus won Friday night’s Hoosier Conference game against visiting West Lafayette.
Getting 15 points and 12 rebounds from 6-foot-9 Derek Elston and 12 points and six rebounds from 6-5 Kyle Coleman, the Class 2A No. 1-ranked Blue Devils defeated the Red Devils 50-40.
Tipton improved to 9-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play. Tipton will have two more HC battles next weekend when the Blue Devils entertain Sheridan on Friday and play Twin Lakes at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon as part of the Ivy Tech Midwinter Classic.
On the night, Tipton owned the glass by a 30-18 margin.
“We addressed that [Friday], the idea that rebounding was one area where you can afford to be selfish,” Tipton coach Travis Daugherty said. “Kyle Coleman exemplified that the way he played early in the game and late in the game. He came up with a couple of rebounds that if he doesn’t get, we don’t win.
“There were some plays we didn’t make tonight that we typically do. But it would be unfair to West Lafayette to not give them the majority of credit for the way the game was played.”
The Red Devils gave the Blue Devils all they could handle. John Shiver’s 3-pointer with three minutes left had West Lafayette within 43-40. Tipton turned the ball over on its ensuing possession and Daugherty called a timeout.
WL’s Daniel Wodicka missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer and Coleman rebounded. Then at the other end, Tipton flashed Elston into the high post and WL’s zone collapsed on him. He quickly found an open Coleman who laid the ball in and was fouled. Coleman missed the free throw, but Elston grabbed the offensive rebound, scored and was fouled. He converted the three-point play to extend Tipton’s lead to 48-40 with 1:32 remaining.
WL’s George Zhang went to the line for a one-and-bonus with 1:06 left to play but missed the front end of the bonus. Elston pulled down the rebound and Jason Dye was fouled with 1:01 left. He converted both ends of the one-and-bonus to up the lead to 50-40.
Tipton’s defense forced a turnover with less than 30 ticks left and then the Blue Devils killed the clock as West Lafayette coach David Wood yelled at his team not to foul.
“To their credit, they made a couple of big plays when they needed to,” Wood said.
