(Greensburg, IN) — Micah Norman poured in a game-high 29 points and Milan held off a furious late rally to defeat North Decatur 73-71 on Monday night, snapping a six-game losing streak to the Chargers that dated back to 2019.
The Indians appeared to have the game in hand after building a 14-point lead in the second half, but North Decatur stormed back to make it a nail-biter down the stretch.
With Milan clinging to a 71-68 advantage and just over three seconds remaining, Norman stepped to the free-throw line and calmly sank two clutch free throws to push the lead to five points. The senior’s 28th and 29th points of the night proved decisive as North Decatur’s Owen Rennekamp hit a desperation 3-pointer from the right corner as time expired to set the final margin.
Gabe Riehle added 24 points for Milan, while Grant Langferman contributed 10 in the balanced scoring attack. The Indians shot 55% from two-point range (24-for-43) and connected on 14 of 20 free throws.
For North Decatur, Rennekamp finished with 23 points and Wyatt Riesman added 22 to lead the Chargers’ comeback attempt. Logan O’Dell chipped in nine points, while Mason Kunz had seven. North Decatur connected on nine 3-pointers but couldn’t overcome Milan’s hot shooting inside.
The game featured 16 lead changes and five ties before Milan seized control. After trailing by as many as six points in the first half at 30-24, the Indians went on a run to take the lead and never trailed again.
Milan opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run to build a 49-39 advantage and maintained a double-digit lead for much of the second half. But the Chargers’ pressure defense and three-point shooting brought them roaring back.
Henry Kinker, who had been held scoreless through three quarters, drilled a crucial 3-pointer from the left corner with six seconds remaining to cut Milan’s lead to 71-68 before Norman’s free throws.
Norman delivered when it mattered most, ensuring the Indians would end their losing streak to the Chargers.
Milan led 20-19 after the first quarter and held a 42-39 advantage at halftime. The Indians improved their shooting as the game progressed while North Decatur stayed in striking distance with 36% three-point shooting (9-for-25).
Charlie Parmer added four points for North Decatur, while Matthew Fields and Kinker each had three. Ben Knowlton scored six for Milan and Ethan Clark added four.
The victory was Milan’s first over North Decatur since 2019.