submitted by Coach Kent Christian
The BGMR Gators and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies have developed quite a rivalry over the past five years with several games coming down to the final possession. Tuesday night’s match-up was no different as the Ponies battled from behind and hit a shot at the buzzer to send the Gators to a 55-54 defeat.
The Gators were not playing their best ball from the get go but did manage to take an 8 point halftime lead. The Gators would later push that lead to 12 and had several possessions to increase the lead even more but BGMR failed to capitalize and in the end the pesky Ponies made the Gators pay.
The wheels on the Gator train began to slowly fall off at the five minute mark. At that time the Gators had a 12 point lead and the ball. The Ponies however chipped away and cut the lead to 5 with just over two minutes to play. BGMR helped the Ponies in the final 2 minutes as the Gators missed a 2 shot free throw and 3 front end of bonus free throws. Going 0-5 from the free throw line would single doom for any team and ultimately doomed the Gators. Clinging to a 1 point lead with just over 10 seconds to go the Gators had to rely on their defense as the Ponies had the ball. BGMR did an outstanding job forcing the ball out of bounce under the basket with 3 seconds left. BGMR again did an outstanding job but Pony big man Zach Riopellle hit a tough shot to send the home team Ponies into a frenzy.
Offensively the Gators had solid nights from Jacob Anderson who had 17 points and Jacquan Rhen who had 15 points and 9 rebounds. The Ponies got 19 points from Jayvon O’Quin and 11 points, including the game winner from Riopelle.
Despite the heart breaking loss in which the Gators gave a lot of possessions away BGMR will now need to focus its attention to Friday’s game at Lake of the Woods. The long trip to Baudette can be a tough one and the hungry Bears usually play hard. BGMR will need to come ready to play or the Bears will be looking for the upset.
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