The Taylorville Tornadoes gave everything they could on Friday night against the Triad Knights falling short.  They were not about to let it happen again on Saturday night beating Mattoon 61-55.  Taylorville boys basketball jumped out to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter thanks to 10 from Clark Durbin and were feeling good.

By the time the second quarter started, the boys were just simply out of energy.  In fact, the first four minutes of the second quarter nobody scored.  Both sides went scoreless until a couple free throws from Mattoon 3:30 seconds into the second.  Taylorville did hold a ten-point lead at halftime 26-16 as Mattoon outscored the Tornadoes 8-6.  Coming out of halftime it was all Green Wave who thanks to a halfcourt trap and a plethora of players scoring outscored Taylorville 22-12 sending the game into the fourth quarter all tied up at 38.  

Taylorville head coach Ryan Brown called a timeout early in the fourth quarter and Taylorville gave every little bit of energy they could outscoring Mattoon 23-17 and clinching third place in the Rick McGraw invitational as they beat the Green Wave 61-55. 

Clark Durbin was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game for 18 points.  Brock Brown, who celebrated his 15th birthday on Saturday poured in 13 including a huge 3 in the fourth. Drake Howard (15), Malique Pearse (3), and Baron Odam (5) also scored in the effort.

Coach Ryan Brown says he's proud of his guys for overcoming adversity after allowing Mattoon back into the game and after the rough loss to Triad on Friday. 

Taylorville will next take on Rochester on the road on January 28th.