Semoball

Malden survives homecoming scare against Portageville

The Malden basketball team celebrates with fans after a 50-44 homecoming win over Portageville on Friday, Jan. 20. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

MALDEN, Mo. — Trey Miller made a go-ahead 3-pointer with less than two minutes remaining as Malden gave fans their money worth with a 50-44 homecoming win over Portageville on Friday, Jan. 20.

It appeared the Bulldogs (9-9) had their opponent on the ropes, but the Green Wave (13-5) withstood the early surge and finished the game strong with some clutch plays.

“Portageville came after us defensively,” said Malden coach Mike Kilgore. “We knew they were going to do it and they got after us pretty hard, but we found ways to keep our poise and pull it out. The biggest thing we wanted to do was take advantage of our crowd. It was homecoming and they provided a lot of energy.”

Portageville's Jamarion Smith (24) puts up a shot against Malden on Friday, Jan. 20. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Quamareous Farmer and Connor Sells exchanged baskets to start the game as both teams played well in the opening quarter. The Bulldogs led 8-4 after Thomas Frakes made a 3-pointer on an assist from Shane Townsend, but Malden answered with a couple of buckets from Marcus Burton and Farmer to tie it.

Frakes continued his big night by converting a 3-point play and finishing inside to put Portageville back on top 13-8. Frakes provided the Bulldogs with a lot of big plays and scored all of his game-high 17 points in the first half.

“He brought a spark and eased some of the tension going in,” said Portageville coach TJ Smith. “When that first one went through it gave everybody confidence. He showed some strong senior leadership tonight.”

Portageville's Connor Sells (11) blocks Malden's Marcus Burton (31) on Friday, Jan. 20. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The Bulldogs moved the ball well throughout the game and did an especially good job go making the Green Wave uncomfortable in the paint by contesting every shot during the first half.

“We played well despite the loss,” Smith said. “We came out with a lot of energy and played hard. We competed and put ourselves in a good spot. We’ve been working on moving the ball and taking good shots. It was nice to see that pay off. When you work on something for two or three days in practice it's nice to see it carry over into a game.”

Portageville extended its lead to 21-12 a few minutes into the second quarter after Frakes knocked down back-to-back 3-point baskets.

Malden's Quamareous Farmer (3) drives to the bucket during a 50-44 win over Portageville on Friday, Jan. 20. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

However, Malden responded with three straight buckets from Payton Woodard, Miller and Burton to narrow the lead 21-19.

The Bulldogs came right back with a couple of takeaways and layups by Jamarion Smith and Shane Townsend, and finished with a 26-21 halftime advantage.

“We did all the little things right for an entire half,” Smith said. “We know they’re going to give up height almost every night, but these guys play with physicality and heart. They had a tall task tonight and it was battle. I’m proud of the way they competed underneath.”

Portageville's Thomas Frakes (22) looks for an open teammate during a loss at Malden on Friday, Jan. 20. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Jamarion Smith opened the second half with a 3-pointer, but the tide turned and momentum swung after Malden scored the next dozen to tie it 31-31 with 1:39 left in the third quarter.

Woodard buried a 3-pointer a short time later that gave the Green Wave their first lead since the opening moments of the game.

Malden was able to stay a possession ahead for most of the fourth quarter, but Portageville regained the lead, 43-32, after a baseline jumper by Connor Sells off an assist from Frakes with 2:14 left in the game.

Miller made his go-ahead shot a short time later, and Malden held on for the victory after holding Portageville to some empty possessions to close out the game.

“I don’t know if fatigue settled in there in the second half, or what you can chalk that up to but I still feel like we moved the ball pretty well,” Smith said. “We just started missing some shots and didn’t finish a couple of times at the rim, but you have to give [Marcus] Burton credit for that. He’s a big kid that stays vertical and it is hard to finish over or through him.”

The team could meet again in the Bootheel Conference Tournament that begins Saturday, Jan. 28.

“We made them take some shots they didn’t want,” Kilgore said. “We rebounded the basketball and that’s turned the game around. “Everyone is fired up. This puts us in a good position for the conference tournament with only one [conference] loss.”

The Green Wave's only conference loss came on a buzzer-beater to Senath-Hornersville (10-6) on Ja. 10.

Malden will first have to travel to New Madrid County Central (9-5) on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

“Every game we focus on making a team effort,” Kilgore said. “It's going to be tough and physical [at NMCC]. They have some of the best players in the state, maybe in the nation, and one of the best coaches to ever do it. We have to go there ready to play.”

Portageville had won six straight against Malden before the loss and will play at Hayti (3-14) on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and at Cooter (16-1) on Thursday, Jan. 26.

MALDEN, PORTAGEVILLE 44

Portageville151161244
Malden1011151450

Portageville (44) — Thomas Frakes 17, Jamarion Smith 10, Shane Townsend 7, Connor Sells 6, Mason Adams 2, Connor Jefferies 2. FG: 17. FT: 4-7. F: 14. (3-pointers: Frakes 4, Smith 1, Townsend 1. Fouled out: Townsend.)

Malden (50) — Payton Woodard 13, Quamareous Farmer 12, Tyronne Lee 9, Marcus Burton 8, Trey Miller 6, Cooper Thomas 2. FG: 21. FT: 3-11. F: 12. (3-pointers: Miler 2, Woodard 1. Fouled out: none.)

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