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Carthage College Athletics

The Official Website of The Carthage College Firebirds
Kostes
62
Winner Carthage CARTHAGB 7-6
58
Berry BERRYM 9-2
Winner
Carthage CARTHAGB
7-6
62
Final
58
Berry BERRYM
9-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Carthage CARTHAGB 33 29 62
Berry BERRYM 25 33 58

Game Recap: #22 Men's Basketball |

Firebirds Knock Off Berry in Final Game of Music City Classic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Carthage College men's basketball team wrapped up the Music City Classic with a 62-58 win over Berry Thursday afternoon. 

It was a close game to start as Carthage (7-6) held a 10-8 lead off a layup from Fillip Bulatovic. The Firebirds then used a 19-8 run extending the lead to 29-16 capped off with a bucket from ​​Lukas Rekasius. Berry (9-2) then closed out the half with a 9-4 run narrowing the gap to 33-25 heading into the half. 

The Vikings continued the momentum in the second half using another 12-4 run tying it at 37 until a layup and lone free throw from Garrett Horner put Carthage ahead 40-37 with 13:22 remaining. Kyle Kostes put in eight straight points making the score 48-37 until the Vikings got it to six with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws. Berry then got it to a one-point game with another pair of free throws and later took control of the game with a layup with 6:29 left. Bulatovic nailed a jumper which then put the Firebirds back ahead two before a Vikings dunk on the following possession saw the game even at 54. In the closing seconds, Bulatovic sank a three which extended the margin to 59-56. Though Berry got it to four with four seconds left, Bulatovic sealed it with a dunk for the 62-58 win. 

The Firebirds return to conference play after the New Year facing No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, January 8 at 4 p.m. 
 

Head Coach Steve Djurickovic 

"Great bounce back win today against an excellent Berry team! Had some early foul trouble which changed our rotations but got some big lifts off the bench. Credit to Tanner Lamb, Lukas Rekasius, and Alonzo Paul for really stepping up. Kyle Kostes had his best game of the year. He continues to score the ball at a high percentage and had his fourth straight game with five rebounds which we need from the guard position.  

Today was more about our defensive effort. Nemi Ostojic did a nice job on Austin Brooks which allowed us to be more aggressive on the perimeter. Holding a team like Berry to 33% from the floor and 22% from the three-point line is not easy to do and couldn't be prouder of our team effort on the defensive end.

Fun tournament to be a part of. Played against two terrific teams and are happy to leave with a win!!"
 

Quick Facts

  • Fillip Bulatovic had a team-high 15 points, adding four assists and five rebounds. 
  • Kyle Kostes collected a new season-best 13 points going five-of-nine from the field. 
  • Garrett Horner tallied 11 points and three rebounds while Alonzo Paul recorded four assists and three rebounds. 


You can keep up with Carthage Athletics by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/carthageathletics, Twitter by following @CarthageSports, and on Instagram by following @CarthageAthletics. 
 
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