Timpanogos fans cheer on their team during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
It was gut-check time for the Timpanogos boys basketball team.
The Timberwolves had put together a great first half to build a 14-point lead at halftime in their Region 8 game against Payson, but things had changed in the third quarter.
The Lions came out determined to get back in the game and scored 12 of the first 15 points after the break, cutting the Timpanogos edge to just 35-30. Payson then got a stop and had a chance to get even closer.
How would the Timberwolves answer the Lion onslaught?
The answer was the same recipe that got Timpanogos the lead in the first place: aggressive defense and junior Jaxen McCuistion.
The Timberwolves forced a Payson turnover, then McCuistion turned the possession into a layup at the other tend.
Timpanogos had its mojo back and wouldn't relinquish it again as it pulled way to get the 55-39 win over the Lions.
"Coming in, we knew they were a good team," Timberwolf junior Jaxen McCuistion said. "We wanted to play hard and force them to make tough shots. That's what we did. We gave it up for a little bit, but we knew we weren't going to let up. We came back together and won it."
McCuistion was the offensive workhorse for Timpanogos, hitting two 3-pointers and all six foul shots on his way to a game-high 24 points.
He said it was nice to have things go his way, but his goal was just to do what was best for the team.
"It was a nice game but I just want to get my teammates involved," McCuistion said. "It's a fun game when the shots are falling."
The Timberwolves set the tone for the game with their defense and McCuistion said that made a big difference.
"They couldn't handle our pressure," the Timpanogos junior said. "We were able to push out to a lead. It makes it so much easier for us, being able to push out in transition and get easy buckets."
Payson head coach Anthony Mitchell said it took his squad too long to settle into the game, resulting in a lot of early miscues.
"The pressure got to us, and I don't remember the last time a press got to our team," Mitchell said. "That was frustrating. We're going to go look at the film and see what we can fix."
He liked seeing his team battle back, but credited the Timberwolves for not letting up.
"Timpanogos played hard," Mitchell said. "Sometimes a loss like this will help you. We'll go back and find ways to improve."
The Timberwolves also got 10 points from sophomore Cooper Harris, while senior Gavin Messmer tacked on nine points.
The Lions were paced by 10 points from senior Quinn Buys, who was the only Payson player in double figures.
With the win, Timpanogos moved into sole possession of first place in Region 8 but there is still a lot of basketball left to play.
"I think we are one of the best teams in the state but we have to prove it by going and winning it," McCuistion said. "We need to stay together as a team, keep pushing and keep playing hard."
Timpanogos (13-3) continues its homestand against Uintah on Friday, while Payson (12-3) will go home to take on Mountain View.
Both games are set to tipoff at 7 p.m.
Payson jumped out early and never looked back during its Region 8 game at Timpanogos, finishing off a 62-21 win over the Timberwolves.
The Lions held Timpanogos to just three points in the second quarter as they built a big lead and the Timberwolves weren't able to keep pace.
Payson got 18 points from junior Emma Hales, who drilled four 3-pointers, while senior Quincey Mathews added 13 points and senior Averie Roundy tacked on 12.
Timpanogos was led by 10 points from senior Ella Maddox.
Payson (13-1) next hosts Mountain View on Friday, while Timpanogos (8-7) welcomes Uintah to town on the same day.