Tuesday hoops: Royals lag down the stretch vs. North Decatur

The North Decatur Chargers scored nine straight points at the start of the 4th quarter, climbing back from a twelve-point third quarter defecit and went ahead for good with 1:33 to play as they defeated Eastern Hancock 62-52 on the Royals' home court in Mid-Hoosier action Tuesday night.

The Chargers trailed by six to ten points through much of the second and third quarters, but put together a 32-12 fourth quarter outburst behind seniors John Hammersmith and Jason Kirchhoff, who each scored 10 during the comeback. After the Chargers took the 45-43 lead, Jason Kirchhoff came up with a steal and connected on his second try to put ND up 4. Later, a foul and a resultant technical against EH's Spencer Gilbert pushed the lead to eight. Garrett Lee hit a late triple to give the Royals' fans hope, but ND was able to salt it away down the stretch on the stripe. The Chargers connected on 17 of their 21 fourth-quarter free throws overall

Victor Vincz continued to play well for the Royals with team highs in scoring (21) and rebounds (seven), but was also harassed into eight turnovers. Cody Wallace scored 10 and Garrett Lee added seven. The Royals only connected on 8-of-25 field goals and were outrebounded 20-8 in that same period.

Hammersmith led North Decatur with 29, with Kirchhoff socring 13 and Zach Johnson seven.

Both teams are now 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the Mid-Hoosier Conference. Eastern Hancock hosts Greenfield-Central in the Hancock County Tournament semifinals at 11:30 am December 27.