PLYMOUTH – Plymouth’s Pilgrims were defeated in one real category but it was the only category that mattered in the end as they fell to South Bend Adams by a 63-53 final at home.
“We got flat out got out worked,” said Plymouth coach Ryan Bales. “We can deal with losing around here but if we are going to lose we’re going to lose a certain way.”
The Pilgrim boss emphasizes what the team calls “hustle plays” and it was the Eagles that seemed to get nearly every one as they led from start to finish.
“You get a chance for a great atmosphere with the fans waiting for that hustle play and we never seemed to get it,” said Bales. “Give Adams all the credit. They out hustled us. I don’t know what it ended up on the boards but it had to be ugly. They had all the effort. That’s an effort category.”
It was also the story of the game as the Eagles came away with 37 rebounds on the night 17 of those on the offensive glass. Plymouth could manage just 16 boards on the night.
“Stats don’t lie there,” said Bales. “It’s unfortunate. We got some stops. We got them to take shots that we wanted them to take. But the defense stops with the rebound and we have to learn that.”
Even with the big differential on the boards Adams could not run away from the Pilgrims as Plymouth clawed away to stay in it trailing by just one at the end of the half and by just four at the end of the third quarter.
“It’s a four point game at the end of the third and it feels like it’s 20,” said Bales. “They’re taking the effort categories and shoving it down our throat. That’s really the bottom line. They beat us to loose balls, they beat us on the boards. Our group has to figure out it’s not about setting a tone with the offense.”
The Pilgrims got in foul trouble early with starters Benji Nixon and Garrett Tharp having to spend much of the first half on the bench with two fouls. Nixon eventually fouled out of the game, and was also injured on the play.
Tharp played through his foul trouble and was able to put up a team leading 12 points on the night with three rebounds.
Clay Hilliard and Kadin McCrammer added 11 each with McCrammer adding six assists and four rebounds.
Adams’ Shakell Johnson had 13 rebounds and 14 points for a double/double.
“We’ll respond,” said Bales. “We’ve played hard on defense in these games. Tonight wasn’t our night. We’ll see what we’re made of Tuesday.”
Plymouth, now 3-1 on the year will be in action at home against Winamac (2-0).
•ADAMS 63, PLYMOUTH 53
At Plymouth
Adams 17 13 16 17 – 63
Plymouth 16 13 13 11 – 53
Adams (63) – Foster 3 7-7 13, Zyniewics 2 2-4 6, Weaver 0 2-2 2, Johnson 7 0-1 14, Swanson 6 2-2 16, Fuller 3 0-0 8, Breiler 1 2-2 4. Totals 22 15-18 63.
Plymouth (53) – Nixon 1 4-4 6, Hilliard 3 2-2 11, Carmichael 2 0-0 4, Filson 1 0-0 2, Zeigler 0 0-0 0, McCrammer 4 1-2 11, Reichard 1 2-2 5, Leazenby 0 0-0 0, Skirvin 0 0-0 0, Tharp 5 2-2 12. Totals 17 13-14 53.
3 Pt. FG – Adams 4-16 (Swanson, Fullmer 2), Plymouth 6-18 (Hilliard 3).
Rebounds – Adams 37 (Johnson 13), Plymouth 16 (McCrammer 4).
Assists – Adams 11 (Swanson 8), Plymouth 10 (McCrammer 6).
Steals – Adams 4 (Swanson 3), Plymouth 4 (Leazenby 2).
Turnovers – Adams 8, Plymouth 6.
Fouls (Fouled out) – Adams 15 (Zyniewics), Plymouth 18 (Nixon).
