Overtime Thriller: Cyclones Rally To Defeat Neligh-Oakdale

With a perfect record on the line, undefeated Clearwater-Orchard needed overtime to power past Neligh-Oakdale on Tuesday night.

With a packed Orchard gym, the Cyclones won 57-48, moving to 12-0 on the season. Neligh-Oakdale moves to 12-3 on the season. 

The Cyclones were down early against the Warriors and faced an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. Neligh-Oakdale went cold and scored a combined seven points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Cyclones outscored them 27-2 in the final 12 minutes.

In overtime, Clearwater-Orchard jumped ahead early but pulled ahead for good with 2:25 to play when Andy Kerkman connected on 1-of-2 from the free throw line for the 49-48 lead. The Cyclones spent most of the time left at the free-throw line and held the Warriors scoreless for the rest of the game.

To get to overtime, the Cyclones dominated the fourth quarter while the Warriors struggled to penetrate. Neligh-Oakdale held for the last shot of the fourth quarter, but threw the ball away with 3.7 seconds left. 

The Cyclones then tried to heave the inbound pass down the court, instead hitting the rafters. With no time off the clock, the Warriors got the ball back under their own hoop.

Continuing their scrappy play, the Cyclone stole the inbound pass and quickly called a timeout. Clearwater-Orchard attempted a half-court shot at the buzzer but came up short. 

Clearwater-Orchard won the girls game 50-32.

In the girls game, Mallory Cooper led all scorers with 17 points. Kylie Thiele had seven steals. 

Girls Game
O-C 10 11 13 16 - 50
N-O 2 8 13 9 - 32

Boys Game
O-C 6 10 14 13 - 57
N-O 16 15 10 3 4 - 48

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