Mountain View’s patience, persistence pays dividends

Most coaches would be discouraged watching their team hoist shot after shot from beyond the 3-point line.

Mountain View coach Ray LeBoeuf didn't mind it too much Tuesday night.

Despite finishing 8-for-31 on 3-point tries, the Saints connected on critical treys in the third quarter and converted several second-chance opportunities in their 56-38 win over host Lake Mead in a Division III Southern League game.

"I always preach to the kids, I want them to take the shots even when they've missed them," LeBoeuf said. "We were missing those shots early, but we hit them in the third quarter. We had to take what they were giving us. And they were giving us that outside look."

Though it led wire to wire, Mountain View (10-5, 6-1) saw its early double-digit lead trimmed to 30-22 with four minutes left in the third quarter when Lake Mead sophomore Shay Rutledge made three consecutive shots, including two 3-pointers.

The Saints didn't panic, however, and closed the quarter on a 16-4 run. Tyrell Brooks answered Lake Mead's biggest run with two 3-pointers, and Tevin Gray added another for a quick 9-0 run.

Lake Mead (5-9, 2-5) would not get any closer. The Eagles ended their three-minute scoring drought in the third quarter on Mitch Dolinar's field goal with 37 seconds left.

Mountain View led 54-28 with 3:04 to play.

"Even though Lake Mead is young, Jeff (Newton) has been coaching them a long time and they're disciplined," LeBoeuf said. "They're going to be patient. And with that discipline comes a little bit of discipline that's needed on our end. We just managed to extend it in that third quarter when our guys hit some shots."

Mountain View was only 23-for-60 (38.3 percent) from the field, but made 15 of 29 (51.7 percent) shots inside the 3-point line. The Saints used a 31-22 rebounding advantage to make easy putbacks and high-percentage shots.

Gray had a game-high 19 points and added three steals to lead the Saints.

"Tevin showed a lot of leadership," LeBoeuf said. "He was patient and was a big part of that pull-away. He let the game come to him and didn't try to force shots. That showed great senior leadership."

Brooks added 12 points for Mountain View, which led 25-12 at halftime and 46-26 after three quarters.

Rutledge had 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists for Lake Mead, and teammate Austin Newby contributed eight points, four rebounds and four steals.

Contact reporter Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow him on Twitter: @af_ferguson