 "Photo: N/A")
A missed shot gave the St. Philip’s Tigers a shot at winning Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, but a steal by the Rangers ended the game in their favor 91-89 in overtime.
The win, before a home crowd at Candler physical education center, continued the men’s basketball team’s uninterrupted streak of victories this season.
The Rangers controlled the tip-off and soon shot out to an 11-5 lead. After establishing a deliberately slow pace, the Tigers made their way back with frequent trips to the foul line to tie the game at 19-19 with 10:58 to play in the first half.
Fourteen first–half fouls by the Rangers hampered their defensive effectiveness, leaving them trailing the Tigers 39-41 at the half despite superior three-point shooting.
In the second half, the Tigers pushed the action down low into the paint with pesky persistence and were rewarded with whistles against the Rangers. Nearly halfway through the second half, Rangers coach Aaron Tavitas found himself on the wrong end of a technical foul for his protestations.
The Rangers scrapped without reluctance and stifled the Tigers with defensive pressure in a game of increasing pace. With 3:20 left in the game, the Tigers took a 1-point lead with a 3-pointer when two technicals were issued to them for un-sportsmanlike conduct on the court.
The Rangers stepped up to the free-throw line and sunk three of four to gain the lead 71-69. After making eight of 10 from the line, the Tigers led 79-77 with 20 seconds left. In need of either a steal or a foul, the Rangers sent the Tigers to the line where they made one of two shots.
With 12 seconds left on the inbound pass and down 3 points, the Rangers positioned a 3-point shot from the top of the arch that found its way home with 2.6 seconds on the clock, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime began with both teams exchanging shots, and with 2:30 left, the Rangers lead 86-84.
The drama was set with the theme from “Rocky” being played by the pep band, and the Rangers increased their lead 91-86 with lob passes for fast-break opportunities, trapping the Tigers in the corners on defense.
The Tigers were well-positioned, at 91-89, with 14.4 seconds left and at the free-throw line for two. When the first shot bounced off, a timeout was called, and the options left for the visiting team were few.
When the second shot missed, the Rangers denied the second chance put back by controlling the rebound, leaving the Tigers to foul.
St. Philip’s missed the next shot and the Rangers stole the ball back before the buzzer.
The undefeated Rangers play the Victoria College Pirates at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 in Candler.
The Lady Rangers basketball team defeated St. Philip’s 58-52 at home Wednesday. Their next game is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Our Lady of the Lake University.
Be the first to comment on this article!