JACKSON – The Rock Springs Tigers used a balanced scoring attack and shut down the Jackson offense in the fourth as they moved to 8-0 in conference play with a win over Jackson Tuesday night, 86-65.
Nick McMurtrey scored four early points while Kelby Kramer and Kael Mikkelsen added buckets as the Tigers jumped out to an 8-0 lead to start the game. Trevor Hautala scored four as the Tigers continued to run before Jackson was finally able to get on the scoreboard. Mikkelsen added a three pointer and a three-point play while Hautala added a free throw as the Tigers took a 21-10 lead after one.
Brady Arnoldi hit two free throws to get the scoring started in the second but the Broncs responded with the next nine to cut the lead to four, 23-19. Hautala ended the run with two free throws but Jackson answered to keep the lead at four midway through the second. McMurtrey, Kramer and Arnoldi all added points as the Tigers jumped back up nine but Jackson came right back cutting it back to four. Mikkelsen and Arnoldi scored to end the half as the Tigers took an eight-point lead in a back-and-forth first half, 38-30.
McMurtrey opened the scoring in the third but Jackson responded with two quick threes. McMurtrey added another deep two but Jackson again knocked down a shot from behind the line to cut the lead to three. Arnoldi responded with a bucket and Hautala drained a deep three to put the Tigers back up 47-39. McMurtrey, Hautala and Arnoldi matched Jackson buckets in the final minutes of the third as the Tigers took the 56-46 lead into the final quarter.
Rock Springs slowed down the pace and looked inside to the big guy to start the fourth. Kramer responded with nine early points as the Tigers increased their lead to 16, 67-51. After a Jackson three, McMurtrey continued his strong play and Mikkelsen knocked down another three as the Tigers took their biggest lead of the game, 72-54. The Broncs frustration led to a technical foul and Kramer converted to put Rock Springs up 20 with three minutes. From there the Tigers were able to lock down the Broncs and cruise to the 86-65 win.
The Tigers had five players score, all in double figures. Hautala led the way with 25 points while Kramer’s fourth quarter push gave him 18 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Mikkelsen finished with 17 points followed by McMurtrey who added 14 points and six boards. Arnoldi rounded out the attack with 12 points.
Rock Springs heads to Casper this weekend including an important matchup with Kelly Walsh to decide who is going to enter the 4A West Regional Tournament with the top seed.
Rock Springs High School
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