Boulter's Big Night Propels Mansfield into Semis

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Taunton, Mass. – After years of watching his older brother shine on the game’s biggest stage, Tyler Boulter turned in his own performance for the ages.

Boulter scored 35 points on 8-of-10 from beyond the arc and 13-of-17 overall as No. 1 Mansfield defeated No. 8 BC High, 71-58, in the Division 1 South Quarter Finals at Taunton High School.

Boulter’s older brother Ryan is one of the one top three-point shooters in Mansfield’s history and played two Mansfield teams that appeared in South Sectional finals.

“I’ve been told by everyone to start shooting the ball more,” said Boulter.  “I knew the importance of the playoffs that if you lose you’re out. My teammates did a great job of finding me and I let it fly. Fortunately 80% of them went in tonight.“

Every time the Hornets were in need of a basket, Boulter was there to provide one.

After the Hornets saw a 36-27 halftime lead dwindle down to 42-38 on two Mike Vsasil three-pointers and a baseline runner by Matt Thompson, Tyler Boulter came right back and swished a left wing three-pointer to put Mansfield back up seven.

Ryan Otto followed up with corner three of his own to give the Hornets a 10-point lead.

The Hornets stretched their third quarter lead up to 14 as Sam Hyland got in on the three-point barrage with one of his own and Damani Scot drove to the basket to help give the Hornets a 56-55 edge after three.

Eagles’ senior point guard Travis Evee tried to keep the Eagles within shouting distance scoring four points to start the fourth quarter.

The evening, however, belonged to Boulter.

The well-built 6-foot lefty stepped into a left-wing three-pointer to give the Hornets a 62-46 lead.

Spencer Riley converted a three-point play to pull BC High within 11, but Boulter put the game on ice driving to the rim and finishing through contact to give the Hornets a 13-point lead with three minutes left.

“Probably (Tyler’s) brother,” said Mansfield coach Mike Vaughan on the last time he saw a shooting performance like Boulter’s. “He started the year off hurt and has had to grind and battle. He missed his first tonight and sometimes when he misses his first it takes a while for him to shoot the second. I think he just stuck with it – what a performance.”

Looking to avenge a 73-64 loss to BC High from late December, Mansfield came out running out of the gate.

The Hornets got off to a 6-0 start, and two-three pointers from Boulter and two more layups from Hyland put Mansfield up 19-11 after one.

Vasil and Evee kept the Eagles’ offense afloat as they each knocked down a pair of deep three-pointers to pull BC High within a point.

Boulter came right back.

First, he went backdoor for two, and then picked off an Eagles’ cross-court pass and finished to give Mansfield a 24-19 lead.

The Hornets held a 29-25 edge late in the second, but gained some breathing room before going into the locker room.

Boulter scored five points as part of a 9-0 run to give Mansfield a 36-27 lead at the half.