The Newton boys basketball team had their season come to an end with a 65-61 loss at Des Moines Christian on Monday night in a game heard live on the KRLS3 stream.

The Cardinals were up 44-30 with just under five minutes left in the 3rd quarter, and were outscored 35 to 17 the rest of the game. The Lions tied the game at 56 on three of Max Town’s 37 points, with just 2:32 left in the fourth quarter. 40 seconds later, Town tied the score again at 58 with two free throws following a Grant Osby basket for Newton. An offensive foul was then called on the Cardinals, and Town gave Des Moines Christian a 2-point lead, 60-58, with two more free throws and 1:19 left in the game. Grant Osby was then fouled on a shot with 56 seconds left, but missed both free throws. The Lions then hit enough free throws to get the win, their 18th of the season against seven losses. Town had 37 points for Des Moines Christian, while Isaiah Slaughter paced Newton with 22 points and Qhjuan Coley added 12. Cardinal head coach Jason Carter said the team played their hearts out, and just couldn’t quite put Des Moines Christian away. 

“There are some things we absolutely could have done that were in our control, that could have changed the outcome. We needed one more play down the stretch to close it out.”   

The Cardinals end the season with a 9-12 record.