CUBA CITY — Seniors Brayden Johnson and Isaac Anderson were an unstoppable duo in Iowa–Grant’s 70–61 victory at Cuba City last Thursday night.

The pair combined to scored 60 of their team’s 70 points, including all 41 I–G points in the second half.

Johnson finished with seven three-pointers and a game-high 32 points. He dished out six assists, had two steals and made 7 of 8 free throws in the win as Iowa–Grant improved to 5–1 overall and 3–0 in SWAL play.

Johnson made four three pointers in the first nine minutes of the second half as the Panthers overcame a 35–29 halftime lead.

Anderson, the SWAL’s leading scorer, added 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. 

Iowa–Grant led 60–58 with three minutes left in a back-and-forth game. Anderson drilled a three-pointer and scored back-to-back baskets in the lane and the Panthers began to pull away. Johnson made 3-of-4 from the free throw line to close out the game.

Junior guard Caleb Hill scored all nine of his points in the first half. He also had four assists.

Senior forward Collin Price grabbed six rebounds and took two key charges for the Panthers.

“It is a nice win early in the season, but we have a long way to go and numerous very tough games in the toughest D4 conference in the state,” said Iowa–Grant head coach Toby Tirpalin. “Brayden and Isaac were clutch down the stretch, rising to the challenge.

“I think our defensive intensity in the second half and execution offensively were the differences in the game.”

Senior Ben Burkholder scored a team-high 20 points to lead the Cubans (3–2, 2–1) in defeat.

The Panthers will travel to River Ridge on Monday, Dec. 28 for the four-team River Ridge Holiday Tournament.

Iowa–Grant 70, Cuba City 61

(from Thursday, Dec. 17 @ Cuba City)

Iowa–Grant 29 41 —  70

Cuba City 35 26 —  61

Iowa–Grant (5–1, 3–0) — Brayden Johnson 32, Isaac Anderson 28, Caleb Hill 9, Brent Coppernoll 1. Totals — 24 13-18 70.

Cuba City (3–1, 2–1) — Blake Robson 7, Justin Droessler 14, Brady Vaassen 6, Ben Burkholder 20, Noah Sander 5, Chris Moor 9. Totals — 21 12-17 61.

3-point goals — IG: 9 (Johnson 7, Anderson 1, Hill 1); CC: 7 (Robson 2, Burkholder 2, Sander 1, Moor 1). Team fouls — IG: 17, CC: 16. Fouled out — none.