10 Best: Center Point-Urbana at Iowa City Liberty

<p>IOWA CITY -- Iowa City Liberty used a late first quarter spurt to open up a close game and cruise to a 58-37 win over Center Point-Urbana on Saturday night.</p> <p>The Lightning opened up the second quarter on an 11-2 run, pushing the lead out to 18, 28-10, and they never looked back, leading by at least 17 points the rest of the way en route to a non-conference victory.</p> <p>Liberty (2-0) was led by Ira Hazeltine, who had a game-high 16 points. Kelby Telander added 11 points off the bench in the win.</p> <p>Center Point-Urbana (0-2) was led by Kole Tupa and Caleb Andrews, who each had 9 points in the loss.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 81px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Team</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>1Q</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2Q</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>3Q</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>4Q</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>F</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 39px;"> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 39px;"><strong>Center Point-Urbana</strong></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 39px;">8</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 39px;">10</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 39px;">11</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 39px;">8</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 39px;">37</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><strong>Liberty</strong></td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">17</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">18</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">13</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">10</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">58</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Center Point-Urbana:</strong> Kole Tupa 9, Caleb Andrews 9, Alex Wade 6, Grant Bryant 4, Reece Miller 3, Trey Johannes 3, Ethan Sells 2, Joey Metzen 1<br /> <strong>Liberty:</strong> Ira Hazeltine 16, Kelby Telander 11, Basil Aldoss 8, Andre Brandon 7, Ethan O'Donnell 7, Savion Taylor 6</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>MVP: Ira Hazeltine (Liberty)</strong><br /> <strong>Best shooter: Hazeltine (Liberty)</strong></p> <p>Hazeltine scored a game-high 16 points, with 13 of them coming in the first half. His 8 first quarter points helped get the Lightning out to a quick lead that they never gave up. An electric shooter, he has an incredibly quick release and extended range. He's a "microwave" guy with his ability to get scorching hot and light up the scoreboard in a hurry.</p> <p><strong>Best offensive performance: Kelby Telander (Liberty)</strong><br /> <strong>Spark off the bench: Telander (Liberty)</strong></p> <p>Telander came off the bench looking to score, and he did, pouring in 11 points on 4-4 shooting (3-4 FT). The 6-4 wing is a capable shooter, but he didn't need to show off his stroke in this game, instead looking to attack the rim in transition and in the halfcourt. He showed a little bit of everything in his offensive arsenal in the win, and should provide a consistent scoring spark for the Lightning this year.</p> <p><strong>Best defensive performance: Basil Aldoss (Liberty)</strong></p> <p>Aldoss is a 6-2 guard with good athleticism, quickness and lateral movement. He's capable of defending multiple positions and he does a nice job getting up into the passing lanes.</p> <p><strong>Best passer: Kole Tupa (CPU)</strong><br /> <strong>Best ball handler: Tupa (CPU)</strong></p> <p>CPU's best player, Tupa has the ball in his hands a lot, and at 6-5, he'll have a chance to have some big games with his size advantage over other players at the PG position. A skilled lefty who handles it well and sees the court, he sets his teammates up well and can get into the paint. He does a bit of everything for the Stormin' Pointers. </p> <p><strong>Best underclassman: Savion Taylor (Liberty)</strong></p> <p>The son of Iowa assistant coach Billy Taylor, Savion is a 6-2 freshman guard who comes off the bench for the Lightning. He scored 6 points on 2-3 shooting from the arc, showing a quick release and a nice looking stroke from deep. He's still learning defensive positioning, how to handle pressure, and all of the types of things young guards struggle to adjust to when they play varsity ball for the first time, but he's got a bright future and should be a great player for Liberty for the next four years. </p> <p><strong>Best rebounder: Andre Brandon (Liberty)</strong></p> <p>Brandon is coming off an Achilles injury suffered in April, but he's back on the floor now. He pulled down a game-high 7 rebounds in the win, and as he continues to get healthier, he should be a nightly double-double threat. A 6-7 forward who can score inside and out, and rebounds at a high level, he should be a coveted prospect for area schools.</p> <p><strong>The glue guy: Ben Houselog (Liberty)</strong></p> <p>Houselog didn't score in the game, attempting just three shots, but he does a lot of little things for Liberty; the types of things that winning basketball teams need. He rebounds, defends, gets on the floor, etc. He's the type of player every team needs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>