When things aren't going its way, the Milford Mill boys basketball team knows its fortune can quickly change with seniors Justin Jenifer and Josh Fulton on the court.
So, after a sluggish first half against visiting New Town had the No. 12 Millers down by 10 points at the break on Tuesday, the time had come to lean on their leaders.
Jenifer ignited the rally early in the third quarter and then hit a tying 3-pointer late in the game before Fulton completed the comeback, making two free throws with 17 seconds left to beat the Titans, 56-54, in Baltimore County Division 1 play.
Fulton finished with a team-high 17 points, while Jenifer scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half for the Millers (10-3, 4-0). Kuante Sargent scored 23 points for New Town (7-4, 2-1).
"We just had to will our way to a win," Fulton said. "Everybody just came together collectively as a group and we wanted that win. What that shows is we're tough mentally."
In the first half, the Titans were stronger on the boards, defended better and got the ball to Sargent, who scored 18 points before intermission to lead the visitors to a 34-24 halftime advantage.
Milford Mill came into the third quarter with more intensity at both ends, and it showed quickly. Jenifer scored seven points in the first four minutes of the third quarter and had a steal and an assist as the Millers scored the first 11 points to take a 35-34 lead with 4:05 left in the frame.
With all the momentum on the Millers' side, New Town could have folded. Instead, they settled in to keep the fourth quarter tight.
Sargent, shut down in the third quarter, scored the last five points for the Titans as they had a 54-51 lead with 1:50 left. On the next possession, Jenifer made a 3-pointer to tie the game at 54 with 1:32 to play and then after the Millers had two defensive stops, Fulton was fouled at the top of the key and calmly sank both free throws.
"I like the ball in my hands there. I feel like I'm clutch enough that I will make those free throws and I wanted that win," Fulton said.
On the Titans' final possession, Sargent was able to drive the baseline, but had too much on his shot and the hurried follow at the buzzer was off the mark, as well.
"We go through this in practice — game situations like this — so we don't give up. We push every day in practice and it transfers into the games," Jenifer said.
New Town junior guard Devin Smith, the Titans' leading scorer, left the game early in the first quarter with a hip injury.
"They got the momentum and hit some really nice shots with good defense on them," New Town coach Mike Daniel said. "I thought the effort was good, but we had some breakdowns when I didn't think we would. We just got to keep working."
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Boys basketball
12 Milford Mill 56, New Town 54
NT -- Roche 5, Jones 8, Smith 2, Faust 6, Johnson 10, Sargent 23. Totals: 18 16-25 54.
MM – Jenifer 12, Fulton 17, Cooper 11, Winfield 6, Bo. Moore 7, Harris 3. Totals: 22 8-18 56.
Half: NT, 34-24