Wildcats nip Rebels in double overtime

Jerry Jarrell photo Bloomfield's Blake Harris (left) protects the ball from a steal attempt by Richland's Ben Griffin during Friday's, 75-68, double overtime win by the Wildcats.

BLOOMFIELD -- Missed free throws probably cost Bloomfield a win in regulation, but in the end, it was success from the charity strip that eventually lifted the Wildcats to a 75-68 double overtime win against Richland at home Friday in the first SCAA game for both schools.

Bloomfield was 7-of-14 from the free throw line in regulation, but went 9-of-10 from the charity strip in the two overtime periods to nail down the conference win and improve to 3-3 on the season.

Seth Hill's 3-pointer for Bloomfield opened the scoring in the second overtime and pushed the Wildcats out to a 66-63 lead, but it was clutch free throw shooting in the waning seconds that sealed the win. Seniors Corey Smith and Blake Harris combined to go 5-of-6 from the line with less than 30 second remaining as the Rebels were forced to foul and hope for misses.

"We've been waiting on that," Bloomfield coach Dustin Hicks said of his team's success from the line. "If we had that (success) earlier, we're probably setting at 5-1 or something like that. But they needed a game like this where they stepped up and made free throws, and sometimes coming home helps all of that.

"The assistant coach for Richland (Steve Wyman) and I graduated together and I told him at the end of the game, 'doesn't this feel a little familiar,' because when we were players here at Bloomfield, we played a triple overtime game against Richland and I said I don't need much more of this."

Richland's Ryan Kleffer knocked down a 3-pointer with 45 second remaining in regulation to pull the Rebels to within one of Bloomfield, 55-54. Richland was forced to foul with time running out, and Bloomfield missed the front end of two 1-and-1 opportunities. After the second miss with 19 second remaining,, Kleffer, who finished with a game-high 21 points, was fouled driving the lane. The sophomore missed the first -- his only miss in nine attempts -- and a chance at taking the lead, but made the second to tie the game.

Bloomfield Blake Harris tried to penetrate the Rebel's defense for a last shot in regulation, but it was off the mark and Drew Thornton cleared the boards to send the game into overtime.

Bloomfield had a chance for the win in the first overtime when Harris made a steal against Kleffer near midcourt with 41 seconds remaining and the game tied at 63-all. Bloomfield played for the last shot, but turned the ball over with 4 second showing. Bloomfield's Mac Thornton got a look at a long jumper at the buzzer, but it was off the mark to send the game into a second OT.

"The game didn't play out like I wanted it to play out,, but the boys again really showed a lot of character and heart," Hicks said. "We've lost three of these (close games) at the start of the season, and when we missed a free throw and they come down and score to force overtime It would have been really easy for our guys to lay down. But the fact that they kept plugging, kept plugging... I love these guys to death and its a testament to their character and how hard they work and how much they want to win."

Harris finished with 19 points (three 3-pointers) to lead Bloomfield offensively, while Hill threw down 15, Corey Smith added 14 and Leighton Hensley scored 10.

Joining Kleffer in double digits for the Rebels, who now stand at 0-3 on the year, were Drew Thornton with 13 and Mac Thornton with 11.

Richland will next be in action at the Clarkton Holiday tournament, while Bloomfield will not be in action again until Friday when the Wildcats will host Chaffee.

Advance 57, Puxico 43

PUXICO -- Advance used a 26-8 advantage at the free throw line to defeat Puxico on the road, 57-43 Friday in a matchup of two SCAA teams.

"We continue to knocked down free throws which has allowed us to steal the last two games," Advance coach Josh Dowdy said.

Advance could only manage a 31-27 lead at the half, but the Hornets held Puxico to just 16 second half points to earn the win and improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in SCA play.

"For the second consecutive game we have been outworked and outplayed," Dowdy pointed out. "I always tell the guys that there are two things that we can control and that is attitude and effort. I was proud of the way we conducted ourselves, but we should be working harder than we are right now.

"Until we decide to play with greater intensity, we will be a mediocre team," Dowdy added. "I have higher expectations for these guys and I will not accept what has taken place this week. I hope that these gys come ready to work next week."

Advance's David VanGennip was 9-of-11 from the free throw line on his way to a team-high 17 points, while Jacob Bond had the Hornets' only 3-pointer while scoring 12. Luke Steil was the only other Hornet in double figures with 10.

John Smith scored a game-high 19 points for the Indians, while Joey Phillips added 17 to round out players scoring in double figures for Puxico.

Advance will travel to Scott City for its next game Friday, while Puxico will not be in action again until Monday (Dec. 22) when the Indians will host Naylor.