Thayer made clutch plays late to avenge a regular season loss to Mansfield and claim the program’s 10th consecutive district title with a 44-41 win over the Lions.
Thayer held a slight edge throughout the first half with a 17-14 lead after one quarter and 26-24 advantage at the break. Mansfield jumped ahead after three quarters taking a 33-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter proved to be Aidan Burns time.
Burns scored 10 of Thayer’s 12 points in the frame to will the Bobcats past Mansfield.
His biggest basket came with 12 seconds to play.
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Mansfield took the lead at 40-39 on a Stone Sawyers basket with just over 30 seconds left. Burns came down and gave Thayer the lead back for good with a bucket with 12 seconds left.
On the ensuing inbounds play, East Pitts stole the ball. Burns got fouled with 1.5 seconds left. He knocked down both free throws to give Thayer a 44-41 lead.
A Mansfield halfcourt shot at the buzzer fell short setting off a celebration of a decade of dominance.
Burns led all scorers with 24 points in the game. Mansfield was led by Landen Campbell’s 13-point output.
Thayer (23-4) travels to Lebanon on Monday to face Steelville (24-3) in the Class 3 state sectional round. The game is scheduled to tip at 7:45 pm.
Thayer – 17-9-6-12 — 44
Mansfield – 14-10-9-8 — 41
T: Aidan Burns 24, Rowan Spencer 8, Easton Pitts 7, Devin Harrington 5
M: Landen Campbell 13, Stone Sawyers 9, Chase Cartwright 8, London Dennis 5, Tom Emerick 4, Chase Kelley 2
