One week, the Conference two worst teams, and Jace Easley taking over for two wins.
Four days removed from going to overtime with the conference’s last-place team in Mount Pulaski, the No. 5 Eagles picked up right where they left off against Mount Pulaski, eventually escaping the game behind Easley's late-game heroics, 63-56, on Sunday night.
“This grind, this is chiseling us,” said head coach Phillip Heppe post game. “This is making us find out how to win in different ways.”
Although the game didn’t begin looking like it would need it’s closer, in the game’s final minutes it was number 21 striking again. After letting Zion hang for a large portion of the second half, Easley sunk a late game three from practically St. Louis to clinch the victory.
Our Savior's (15-5, 11-3 Conference) trailed by 15 at halftime of its Jan. 7 meeting with Mount Zion. After halftime, the Eagles clicked and went on a 43-13 half-long run — and that run continued at the home.
And from the jump Sunday it was all Our Savior's — on both sides of the floor — with the love spread all over the court. The Eagles had nine players enter the game, and all nine of them netted points in the contest’s first half.
Despite turning it over 10 times in the first period, the Eagles took a 38-24 lead into the break — led by 14 points from Conor McCaffrey and five assists.
The game’s outcome was never truly in doubt, although the second half was much more competitive. Mount Zion (6-13, 4-11 Conference) cut the Eagles lead to four multiple times in the second half, and got it down to one with under five minutes to play.
The Eagles used Jeremiah Perkins size to help pull away.
Once again, it was Easley who closed out the Zion with eight of his 13 points down the stretch — including an icy deep three with under a minute to play.
“You saw when it was time to win the game,” said Easley. “That’s when my closing mentality and those closing instincts kicked in.”
The guard is making a huge run at Conference and State Player of the Year, and his 35th straight game in double figures certainly helps his cause.
“There’s no doubt Jace is a State Player of the Year candidate,” his head coach said. “In my opinion, he should be leading in that area.”