After a lackluster effort against the Walker Wolverines the previous night, the Bobcats fought tooth and nail with the Douglas County Tigers, who won the award for best team of the tournament, coming back several times from double digit deficits to force double overtime, but fell short 106-104, despite a record 46 points from Ryan Lowery, 24 in the second half.The Tigers jumped on the Bobcats early 8-2 but the Bobcats tied the game with just over four minutes left in the 1st quarter. The quarter went back and forth, as both teams used stingy defense to get transition baskets. The quarter ended with both teams tied 23-23.

The Tigers went on a 6-0 run to start the second. The second quarter, much like the first, had both teams scoring off of a plethora of steals. To counter the up tempo offense of the Tigers, the Bobcats left no offensive rebounders on free throw attempts. The Tigers took a 45-35 lead with two minutes left in the half.

The Bobcats continued to chip into the lead with several defensive stops. Lowery cut the deficit to 41-49 with a steal and dunk. The Tigers led 52-45 at halftime.

The Tigers opened the second half with a 9-4 run. The Bobcats, who had little trouble with the continuous pressing style of the Tigers the first half, were struggling to get the ball up the floor, and often times in bounds. The Bobcats soon were down by 15, their largest deficit of the night 69-54. The Tigers took a 73-59 lead into the fourth quarter.

Bobcats on Defense
(Photo by LT Melton)

The home team fought back with stingy defense of their own, whittling the deficit down to seven, 75-68. Key reserve Joe Bob Charles cut the lead even further with a break away steal and lay up, followed by two free throws, which made the score 77-74. The teams traded baskets and free throws. With 22.2 seconds left in regulation the Tigers tried to sit on the ball, but Gilmer forced a turnover, and Lowery tied the game with a three with to force the overtime.

No Offense Rebounders on Free Throw Attempt by Ben Cole
(Photo by LT Melton)

The first overtime featured very little scoring as both teams were playing on fumes, with Douglas County star, Vantrell Cummings limping up and down the court after twisting an ankle early in the fourth quarter. The Tigers took a 94-92 lead before reserve, Austin White tied the game with 10 seconds left after the Tigers committed a back court penalty.

Bobcats Fall Short
(Photo by LT Melton)

The second overtime featured the home team taking the lead for the first time since the first quarter. The Bobcats were up 101-99 when the Tigers’ Jamane Randall had a steal and a break away dunk, followed by another steal and a break away lay up. With the Tigers up 103-101 Justin Bridges tipped in a missed on a free throw putting the visitors up 105-101. The Tigers hit one more free throw, and Connor Webber, who had team highs in assists (7) and steals (3), hit a three at the buzzer to make the final score 106-104.