BLOOMINGTON — Confronting a nine-point deficit after one quarter, the Normal Community High School basketball team was forced back to basics Friday at Shirk Center.

While hitting shots was certainly prominent on the Ironmen’s to-do list, holding the ball long enough to attempt a shot became the immediate goal.

Once the flood of turnovers slowed, NCHS was able to capitalize on cold Bloomington shooting over the final three quarters to capture a 39-36 victory at the Intercity Tournament.

The Purple Raiders harassed NCHS into 1 of 7 shooting and seven first-quarter turnovers, while connecting on 5 of 7 shots to hold a 14-5 lead after one quarter.

“That was definitely a rough one,” Ironmen senior Nathan Haynes said. “I don’t know if we ate too much on Thanksgiving, but we were definitely missing shots we normally make. I’m glad we stuck it out and played through adversity.”

BHS adopted similar turnover trouble with eight in the second quarter. Haynes’ rebound basket in the final minute of the opening half closed the NCHS deficit to 18-17.

“You’ve got to be able to handle success,” said Raiders’ coach Peter Goff. “For some reason, high school kids are going to step back and say ‘This is easy.’ You can’t do that.”

BHS (2-1, 0-1 in the Big 12 Conference) scored the final five points of the third quarter for a 28-23 lead. But the Ironmen opened the final quarter with a 14-2 streak as Haynes scored seven of his game-high 15 points and Kevin Bischoff tossed in a 3-pointer.

“It’s hard to duplicate in practice Bloomington’s pressure defense. They threw the first couple punches and we were backpedaling,” NCHS coach Dave Witzig said. “We struggled the whole game. Luckily we hit enough shots. Haynes had some in the post, and Bischoff hit a big three.”

The Ironmen (2-0, 1-0) led 39-36 after a Bischoff free throw at the 19-second mark. NCHS’ Taylor Lierman spoiled the Raiders’ chance for a game-tying 3-pointer by knocking a ball loose that rolled out of bounds at the Ironmen end with one second left.

“It’s a good comeback win for us,” said Witzig. “I thought the key to our night was Taylor Lierman. He got some key rebounds and key steals.”

Cole Jackson led BHS with 14 points. Nate Caldwell added 12. Haynes grabbed nine rebounds as the Ironmen held a 29-18 edge on the boards.

The tournament continues Saturday as NCHS faces University High at 6 p.m. and BHS meets West at 7:30.