Published: November 24, 2009 09:43 pm      

WO-S hustles past PN-G, 49-45

WEST ORANGE — Sparked by the inspired play of Anthony Noble and JoKeenen Cotton, the West Orange-Stark Mustangs filled up the “hustle chart” to turn back the Port Neches-Groves Indians 49-45 at Mustang Gym Tuesday night, giving former WO-S standout Donald Newton his first win as the Mustang head coach.

Noble fired in 16 points and yanked down a game-high 14 rebounds while Cotton pumped in 13 points and snared 10 boards as the Mustangs (1-1) held on for the victory.

WO-S led by as much as 27-16 midway through the third period only to watch the Indians (1-1) go on a 14-0 run as PN-G went up 30-27.

The Mustangs calmed down when Noble converted back-to-back three-point shots to give the Mustangs a 33-32 lead heading into the fourth.

The full-court Mustang pressure took its toll on the Indians in the final eight minutes as WO-S forced PN-G into eight of its 22 turnovers in the quarter.

Two quick buckets by D’Andrus Brooks-Gentry off the bench eventually stretched the Mustang advantage to 44-36 with 1:36 remaining.

PN-G then failed to take advantage of bad WO_S free-throw shooting down the stretch. The Mustangs were just 8-of-17 for the night. A rebound and stickback by Cotton sealed it for the Mustangs, making it 49-43 with less than 15 seconds remaining.

Spencer DeRon led the Indians with 17 points. Post Dylan Richard contributed 13 points and six rebounds while Layne Norris had eight points and 10 boards.

Post Darius Davis notched nine rebounds for the Mustangs and guard Jarvis Jones added six points.

Both teams were sluggish on offense in the first 16 minutes as WO-S led 18-14 heading into intermission. Both teams were ice cold with the Mustangs missing easy shots inside while the Indians were failing to convert from the outside.

Noble, Jones and Davis teamed up for nine quick points to start the third, leading to a 9-2 spurt and a 27-16 cushion.

DeRon led the Indians on their big run to get back in the game as he scored nine points in the final three minutes of the third.

The Mustangs controlled the boards, outrebounding the Indians 42-31.

WO-S finished with 15 turnovers while PN-G went just 4-of-9 from the free-throw line.

The Mustangs return to action Tuesday when they play host to the Lumberton Raiders.