Tigers drub Carthage in opening round of Carthage Invitational

The top-seeded Nevada Tigers clobbered eighth-seeded Carthage 76-45, Tuesday night in the opening round of the 71st annual Carthage Basketball Tournament.

Nevada (2-0), the defending Carthage Invitational champs, led 18-12 entering the second quarter, before outscoring Carthage 20-7 to seize a commanding 38-19 halftime advantage. Leading 51-34 through three quarters, the onslaught continued in the fourth, as Nevada outscored Carthage 25-11, for the final 31-point blowout margin.

Carthage had no answers for Nevada forward Clay Gayman, who poured in a game-high 24 points, with all of his offensive production coming through the first three quarters. Nevada sophomore forward Dalton Gayman chipped in 21 points.

Nevada head coach Shaun Gray said Clay Gayman didn’t enter the game in the fourth quarter due to foul trouble.

“Dalton played aggressive and was tough inside,” noted Gray, as the younger Gayman also connected on 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

“As a team, we shot 14-of-18 from the line. We also made six 3-pointers, with five guys hitting from deep. It was nice to see everyone contribute, and nice to get a team win.”

Despite being in foul trouble, junior wing Matt Thompson tallied 13 points, with 11 coming in the final frame.

Gray said his squad competed at a high level on both ends of the floor.

“It was a good team effort tonight on both ends of the floor,” said Gray. “Will (Johnson) helped guard Carthage standout guard Chase Johnson, and also knocked down a big corner three in the third quarter. Hunter (Mason) played great defense on Arkell Smith, limiting him to one first half basket and only three baskets on the night. Braeden (Hinton) hit a deep three for us early in the game, and also played tremendous defense throughout.”

Also playing well, were Nevada junior guard Carter Swearingen and freshman guard, Logan Applegate,

“Logan played with great court vision and had several key assists that led to easy buckets,” said Gray. “Carter had 9 second half points and played with poise against pressure defense down the stretch.”

Continued Gray: “Carthage has a solid team that will keep getting better as they get in basketball shape after a late state football run. Chase Johnson played well, and Alex Martini is a good, young post player for Carthage.”

Up next

Tuesday’s victory advances Nevada to the semifinals, where the top-seeded Tigers are set to square off with fourth-seeded Rogers, Thursday at 6 p.m.

Check a future edition of the Daily Mail for all the latest on Nevada Tigers basketball