California Pintos basketball looked to win their third game in the last five days on Friday night against the Southern Boone Eagles.
The Pintos won in a blowout over Warsaw 74-36 on Dec. 11 and a last-minute win at Centralia 57-55 on Dec. 12.
California came out of the gate by putting a lockdown on Southern Boone's offense. The Pintos charged their way to the first 15 points of the game, while holding the Eagles scoreless in the first quarter.
However, Southern Boone attacked the basket with multiple players and fought back with layups and free throws. California was put on their heels by the Eagles' comeback, but still led by four points at halftime.
After both teams made their run in the first half, the game developed into a battle of wills, however, in the fourth quarter, Southern Boone point guard Chase Morris caught fire offensively. After coming up with a backcourt steal and layup, Morris gave the Eagles their first lead of the game at 37-36.
Morris would be matched by California's own point guard, Brooks Volkart, who returned with a critical three-point play to tie the game in the final minutes.
The two teams were tied at 45-45 with less than 10 seconds left, but neither team was able to knock down the winning shot and the game went to overtime.
Both teams tied at the end of overtime 50-50, which required a second four-minute overtime period.
Morris drove into the lane and passed the ball out to sophomore guard Chase Rackers, who knocked down a three-pointer from the left corner to give the Eagles a 53-50 lead. The three-pointer was Racker's only basket of the game, but it was enough to give Southern Boone they needed to pull off the victory. The Eagles put the game away with two free throws in the final seconds by Morris to win the game 55-51 in double overtime over the Pintos.
California shot 43 percent from the field, 18 percent from the three-point line and 62 percent from the foul line.
Dunham had a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds. Porter had ten points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Volkart had ten points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Forward Hayden Kilmer had nine points and four rebounds off the bench. Chase Trimble had six points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench.
Southern Boone shot 35 percent from the field, 11 percent from the three-point line and 59 percent from the foul line.
Morris had a game-high 23 points with four steals, three rebounds and three assists. Morris scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and the two overtimes.
The Pintos will look to respond in Fatima on Thursday night.
Democrat photo/Evan Holmes — Landen Dunham boxes out a defender on a missed free throw. Dunham had a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds on Friday.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Senior guard Gavin Porter had ten points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in California's loss to Southern Boone.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Junior point guard Brooks Volkart had ten points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals on Friday night.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Guard Ayden Bryant drives into the lane and score two of his nine points against Southern Boone on Friday night.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
California head coach Brad Conway calls out a play for his team against the Southern Boone Eagles.