Brock Brown dropped 31, Taylorville didn't allow a fourth quarter field goal until about 48 seconds left in the fourth and the Tornadoes cruised to victory over the Mattoon Green Wave in an Apollo Conference matchup, 68-56 that saw several lead changes, a ton of 3 pointers, and a very physical basketball game. 

Brown got the scoring for Taylorville early with a three pouring in 11 points in the first quarter, but it felt like for every point that Taylorville scored, Mattoon answered with points of their own. Taylorville also got contributions from Wyatt Younker with a three, and Blake Ladage added four. Mattoon countered with 5 points from Max Wetzel and Jayvien Middleton, and three from Theren Gent and Tyler Haacke.  The Tornadoes led 19-18 at the end of the first. 

More of the same in the second quarter, as the Tornadoes continued their torrid pace two more from beyond the arc (Maddyx Owens and Maddex Havera).  For Mattoon, it was Lincoln Hayes with 7 and contributions from Tyler Haacke, Chandler Rice, and Gent.  Taylorville took a 36-33 lead at halftime.  The first half saw 6 three pointers from both sides and a super competitive game going into the locker room as Taylorville outscored Mattoon 17-15. 

Taylorville changed their defense going into the third, and Mattoon struggled to adjust against the halfcourt trap. Taylorville and Mattoon settled in and the Green Wave controlled most of the third quarter as Hayes added in 7, and contributions from Rice, Gent, and Haacke. Taylorville got nine points from Brown, Pearse, Ladage, and Owens. With about 2:45 left in the game, Mattoon's leading scorer Lincoln Hayes was seen in a heavy discussion with what appeared to be his coach.  Hayes left the game and never returned.  Taylorville trailed 47-45 heading in to the fourth. 

Mattoon was held in check for the fourth quarter, as Taylorville rained buckets with Brock Brown adding 12 in the 4th alone including a huge slam dunk that got Purple Reign fired up.  it was his second slam dunk of the game and Taylorville got contributions from Younker and Havera as well.  Mattoon didn't score a field goal until 48 seconds left in regulation when Jayvien Middleton added in a 2 foot runner.  Rice also got a field goal, but Mattoon looked to be a very different team in the fourth without their leading scorer and Taylorville cruised to a 68-56 victory.  Brock Brown was named the WTIM Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game. 

                          1             2          3           4         F

Mattoon          18          15       14           9        56

Taylorville       19          17         9          23       68