BLOOMINGTON -- Normal Community High School's experience took over in the second half against University High Saturday in the Intercity Basketball Tournament at Shirk Center.

And on the strength of the Ironmen's 44-31 victory, NCHS will experience at least a share of its second straight tournament championship.

The Ironmen moved to 3-0 in the tournament behind 14 points and nine rebounds from 6-foot-6 senior Nathan Haynes.

"U High is young with juniors and sophomores inside," Ironmen coach Dave Witzig said. "Nathan Haynes is in his fourth year on the varsity."

In the second game,

The Ironmen outrebounded U High, 28-16, and limited the Pioneers to 34 percent shooting (11 of 32).

"Our offense was out of rhythm because Dave's kids play great man-to-man position defense," said U High coach Bob Fitzgerald. "I was proud how our kids fought and battled."

Two straight Mitch Styczynski baskets brought the Pioneers (0-3) within 25-20 in the third quarter. A Tre Jones 3-pointer helped the Ironmen extend that lead to 32-21 entering the final quarter.

"We were trying to be patient with their zone and get the ball in the post," Jones said. "We played pretty well defensively."

Anthony Beane matched Jones with nine points for NCHS, which shot 48 percent from the floor (15 of 31).

"The second half we did a better job moving the ball against their zone," said Witzig. "Tre had a nice game off the bench, and Anthony Beane did a good job knocking down a couple shots."

Connor Brown paced U High with 11 points as Fitzgerald debuted a platoon system, alternating two groups of five.

"We wanted to try a couple things out," said the Pioneers' coach. "The Gold team (Kurtis Ellis, McKinley Elem, Sammie Elem, Marlon Pettis and Kevin Rapps) got them rushed a little. We wanted to put some heat on them."

West faces NCHS at 6 p.m. Monday with U High meeting Central Catholic at 7:30.

A West victory would mean NCHS, West and BHS share the tournament crown.