Neal Tyrell forces key turnovers in overtime for Minooka win

THE SKINNY

Pesky Minooka guard Neal Tyrell forced two turnovers which led to Indians’ points in the first minute of overtime that helped the hosts beat Oswego Friday in Southwest Prairie Conference action.

TURNING POINT

Tyrell, a senior, forced a Panthers’ turnover that sent Minooka’s Adam Alexander, the person responsible for sending the game into overtime with a layup with :03 left in the fourth quarter, to the free throw line. Alexander sank one free throw to make it 52-51. Tyrell then stole the ball at mid-court and drove it for a layup that put Minooka ahead 54-51 with 3:00 to play in overtime.

THE STAR

Tyrell was one of four Minooka (7-9, 3-3) starters in double figures with 14 points. Joseph Butler scored 19 points, Alexander 12 points and Mark Tomac-Geers had 10 points for the Indians. Zachery West led Oswego (6-7, 3-3) with 18 points.

BY THE NUMBERS

Minooka shot 21-of-44 from the field. Oswego finished 21-of-49.

QUOTABLE

“Neal plays with a little bit of reckless abandon. He gives me a lot of gray hairs a lot of the time, but when it works in his favor, I love him to death,” Minooka coach Scott Tanaka said.