by Springfield, Mo. — Despite a strong start and several impressive scoring surges, Haskell couldn’t keep pace with Mission’s perimeter shooting and second-half offensive burst, falling 114–94 in a fast, up-tempo matchup.
Haskell opened the game with confidence, taking an early lead behind Jesse White’s smooth perimeter stroke and Nehemiah Boykins’ aggressive drives to the basket. Khohanon Atazhoon knocked down a key early three, helping Haskell build a 12–9 advantage before Mission began heating up from deep.
Boykins continued attacking the rim, drawing fouls and generating much of Haskell’s offense early on. Preston Olney added timely buckets and strong hustle plays to keep the game close through the midpoint of the first half.
Even as Mission started to stretch the lead with a barrage of threes, Haskell found responses. White stayed hot from outside, burying multiple threes to keep the Indians within striking distance. Boykins added steady production at the line, and Olney hit back-to-back jumpers to slow Mission’s momentum.
Haskell’s ball movement late in the half created open looks for Daegon Harris and Preston Olney, but Mission maintained its advantage heading into the break.
White opened the second half with a confident jumper, sparking a brief run that trimmed the deficit. As Mission pushed its pace, Haskell continued to battle through transition pressure.
White delivered one of the team’s best stretches of the night, scoring inside and out while knocking down multiple second-half threes. Cordell Funmaker provided a major lift off the bench, hitting several long-range jumpers that swung momentum back Haskell’s way.
Boykins remained a constant force, earning trips to the line and attacking gaps in Mission’s defense. Zahir Michel-Fuller also stepped up late, drilling a deep three and finishing in transition as Haskell tried to mount a final push.
Despite a spirited final stretch — including threes from Funmaker, Harris, and Michel-Fuller — Mission’s relentless pace and shot-making kept Haskell from closing the gap.
White’s scoring burst in the final minutes brought the bench to life, but Mission answered each run, ultimately pulling away for the 114–94 final.
White finished with an astounding 37 points for the game. He shot an incredibly efficient 13-of-20 from the field and a blistering 5-of-8 from beyond the arc for the game.
