Madeira's Robb Hern blocks Reading's Craig Wilking (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

        Robb Hern, Madeira's 6-foot-5 junior forward, buried two free throws with eight seconds remaining to give the Mustangs a 48-47 victory over the Reading Blue Devils Friday night at Reading.

        “During the timeout, my teammates told me they were behind me and had confidence I would make them,” said Hern, whose ability from the line has been affected by two hand injuries this season. “This was important, because I'm only shooting 50 percent from the line this season.”

        Hern's free throws were a fitting end to a hard-fought defensive struggle that saw both teams suffer poor shooting nights.

        Madeira finished 16-of-52 from the field and 12-of-19 from the free throw line. Reading was 22-of-56 from the field and 3-of-7 from the line.

        Although Madeira was only 5-of-25 from the field in the first half, the Mustangs' defense forced 10 Reading turnovers and led 19-18 at the half.

        “We're a team that relies on offense to win games, and we're trying to get away from that,” Madeira coach Jim Reynolds said. “Every time we come here, they make you earn it. Last year we won 42-40 on a last-second shot.”

Madeira's Bret Underwood challenges Reading's DeShawn Wynn for the ball. | ZOOM |

        Reading substitute Kenny Brady scored six consecutive points and Derrick Aden added four in the third quarter, helping the Blue Devils to a six-point lead.

        But Madeira cut that deficit to two, trailing only 34-32 going into the fourth quarter.

        After Hern scored eight consecutive points midway through the quarter to give Madeira a 42-36 lead, it seemed the Mustangs were in position to put the game away. But the Blue Devils fought back to a 46-42 advantage.

        Madeira's Adam Burch sank a 3-pointer and one free throw to tie the game 46-46 with 17 seconds to play.

        Craig Wilking sank one of two free throws with 16 seconds left for Reading, but Hern followed with the game winners eight seconds later.

        DeShawn Wynn's 17-foot jump shot at the final buzzer for Reading was off the mark.

        “I liked the way we defensed Reading's final play,” Reynolds said. “Wynn got the shot off, but it was a tough one.”

        Hearn said the team is coming together since suffering its only loss of the season.

        “Finneytown beat us by 25 because we weren't ready to play,” Hern said. “Coach kept talking about playing with heart after the loss and we came back (on Tuesday) and beat Springfield Catholic Central.”

        The victory enabled the Mustangs to remain one game behind Mariemont in the Cincinnati Hills League. Madeira is tied with Reading for second place.

        MADEIRA (48) — Tuke 2 0 4, Burch 2 6 12, Luther 2 0 4, Hern 6 2 14, Konieczka 2 0 6, Underwood 2 4 8. Totals: 16 12-19 48

        READING (47) — McGinnis 1 2 4, Wynn 5 0 10, Hershberger 1 0 2, Brady 8 0 16, Wilking 2 1 5, Aden 5 0 0. Totals: 22 3-7 47

        Madeira ....... 11  8 13 16-48

        Reading ....... 8 10 16 13-47

        3-pointers: M--Burch 2, Konieczka 2. Records: Reading 3-1, 1-1 CHL; Madeira 6-1, 2-1 CHL

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