NIXA, Mo. -- Willard's exciting run to the finals of the Nixa Invitational ran into a buzz saw Saturday night, as the host Nixa Eagles used a strong third quarter to distance themselves from Willard and win the Nixa Invitational title 78-58.
Austin Ruder continued his strong tournament and scored 25 points for the Eagles, making four three pointers on the night. The first quarter was hotly contested, and several big baskets by Chris Kendrix and Sky Frazier kept Willard within 20-18 going into the second quarter. The second quarter also remained close, as the Tigers and Eagles traded baskets throughout the quarter (Nixa outscored Willard 18-14) and Nixa went in to the locker room with a 38-32 halftime advantage over Willard.
Nixa's offense was bound to take off sooner or later in this game, and in the third quarter Jalen Norman and Austin Ruder took over the game. Despite the absence of Drury University signee Kameron Bundy, who injured an ankle in Nixa's semifinal win over Billings Friday night, the Nixa offense showed no signs of weakness. The Eagles outscored Willard 22-12 to take a commanding 60-44 lead over the Tigers going into the fourth quarter.
Nixa would add eighteen more points in the fourth quarter to claim the championship of the Nixa Invitational 78-58. Willard played well for several periods of the game, and sophomore Chris Kendrix had three nice dunks, yet Nixa’s offense proved too powerful to overcome.
Willard did land two players on the All-Tournament team, as Chris Kendrix and Sky Frazier represented the Tigers. For Nixa, Jalen Norman, Jordan Epps, and Austin Ruder made the All-Tourney Team. Other players represented on the All-Tourney team included: Maurice Mason (Hogan), Broderick Newbill (Hogan), Luke Cooper (Harrisonville), Kaleb Harter (Billings), and Zane Phillips (Mt. Vernon).
