Timpanogos holds on to beat Provo, advances to 4A quarterfinals
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- Jaxen McCuistion (left) of Timpanogos goes up for a shot against Provo in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Provo’s Makai Allen (2) looks to drive against two Timpanogos defenders in a 4A boys basketball second round game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Jack Johnson of Timpanogos (left) dribbles against Provo’s Luke Castagnetto in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Provo’s Makai Allen (2) takes a jumper over Gabe Graff of Timpanogos in a 4A boys basketball state second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Gaven Messmer of Timpanogos (right) dribbles against Provo in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Timpanogos boys basketball coach Golden Ingle (center) walks on the sideline during a 4A second round playoff game against Provo on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Gabe Graff of Timpanogos (22) tries to bring in a loose ball against Provo in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Provo’s Makai Allen takes a jumper against Timpanogos in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Jaxen McCuistion of Timpanogos goes in for a layup against Provo in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Forest Corner-Bettwesier (center) pulls the ball away from a Provo defender in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Provo’s Makai Allen takes a shot against Timpanogos in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
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- Provo’s Niko Christman goes up for a shot against Timpanogos in a 4A boys basketball second round playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
Preparing for a second round 4A playoff game against Provo, Timpanogos coach Golden Ingle stopped practice on Friday.
Ingle told 6-foot-5 junior forward Forest Corner-Bettwesier, who was averaging 2.7 points per game, that he would be open against the Bulldogs.
“We gave him permission to score,” Ingle said.
Corner-Bettweiser took that directive to heart, scoring a career-high 14 points — the first time he’s been in double figures all season — in the T-Wolves’ 64-58 victory on Saturday.
“I had to,” Corner-Bettweiser said after the game. ” I feel like a big part of me scoring today was composure and finishing. Shout out to our manager, Cole, for helping me out in warm-ups before the game.”
Timpanogos got out to a 14-point lead second half lead, only to go nearly five minutes without scoring as Provo roared back into the game and cut the deficit to one with 3:18 to play.
The T-Wolves got a key defensive stop and made 4 of 4 from the foul line to secure the victory down the stretch.
“It was our composure,” Ingle said. “That was the number one key of the game, because we know how Provo likes to play. They’re so tough and physical and then there’s the crowd and everything that goes into it. We knew we were going to have to keep our composure and weather the storm. We knew they were going to make runs.
“So how do we weather it? We keep our composure, stick to what we do and stay together. That’s what we’ve been doing all year. The guys really care about each other and it shows on the court. There’s no finger pointing or blaming anyone. It’s truly a team that’s together.”
Jaxen McCustion topped Timpanogos with 23 points, 14 in the second half. Makai Allen led Provo (14-10) with 30 points, including 21 in the second half.
The game was tied at 15 after one quarter but Timpanogos pulled ahead in the second, taking advantage of live ball Provo turnovers to get out in transition. McCuistion drove and scored, Cooper Harris dropped in a short jumper and Jack Johnson found the range for a 3-pointer as the T-Wolves led 34-26. Allen scored on a drive to beat the buzzer and Provo pulled to within six, 34-26, at halftime.
Timpanogos scored the first seven points of the third quarter and McCuistion’s steal and layup gave the visitors a 41-28 lead. The T-Wolves advantage stayed near double digits most of the third quarter and they took a 56-44 lead into the fourth.
Provo’s defense locked things up and Timpanogos went nine straight possessions of the fourth quarter without scoring. The Bulldogs scored 11 straight points and a rebound basket by Griffin DeMartini brought the home team within one, 56-55, with 3:18 to play. The T-Wolves also took a blow when point guard Gaven Messmer fouled out with 2:55 on the clock.
A pair of free throws by Allen cut the deficit to one, 58-57, at the 1:29 mark. Timpanogos went to McCuistion and he delivered a jumper in the lane that bounced in for a 60-57 lead with 1:06 to play. The T-Wolves led 60-58 and Provo fouled McCustion with 14.3 seconds to go. The junior drained both free throws for a 62-58 advantage. Allen missed a three on the other end and Provo grabbed the rebound, but Johnson stole the ball and was fouled. His two free throws with 3.1 seconds showing provided the final margin.
“Something we’ve talked about all year is with every adversity comes the seed of an equal or greater success,” Ingle said. “Jaxen was out for three games (with a fractured foot) and some of the other guys got more minutes than they normally would, and they are better. It showed tonight. Cooper did a great job running the point when Gaven fouled out. Gaven is the heart and soul of our team so that was huge.”
Timpanogos (17-8) advances to the 4A quarterfinals on Thursday at Southern Utah’s America First Events Center against No. 1 seed Green Canyon (23-1). The Wolves eliminated No. 16 West Field 60-42 in the second round on Saturday.
“I think we can beat anybody,” Corner-Bettweiser said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to show how good we actually are.”
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