By: Coach Christian
There were frigid temperatures outdoors but the Friday night basketball action at The Swamp was hot as the BGMR Gators and Blackduck Drakes treated the fans to a double overtime basketball game. Unfortunately for the Gators the Drakes were able to hit a key basket with just over 14 seconds left to pull out a 67-65 victory.
BGMR and Blackduck showed early that this was going to be a game down to the wire. Neither team was able to have more than a 7 point lead and whenever it looked as if one team might extend the lead the other team would buckle down and create defensive stops and hit big shots. Despite being in some foul trouble the Gators were able to go into halftime with a 2 point 23-21 lead.
The second half was a back and forth affair with each team having chances to bring home the victory. With the game tied and just over 7 seconds to play the Drakes went the length of the court and had a chance for a winning shot but the Gators came up with a big defensive stop and key rebound to send the game into overtime.
The first overtime was an all out war as both teams fought for the victory. The Gators could have put the game away with just over a minute to play as they made two defensive stops but were unable to add to their two point lead. The Drakes would surge ahead by 2 with just over 15 seconds to play. After a timeout and 10 seconds left on the clock the Gators were able to get a shot off that missed. Both teams scrambled for the rebound and BGMR attempted another shot that rimmed out. The Gators got another board and this time, were able to convert as time expired and sent the game into the second overtime.
BGMR again in the second overtime had several chances to put the game away but Blackduck showed that they would not be denied. With just over 14 seconds and the game tied the Gators broke down on defensive and the Drakes converted an easy basket on an inbounds play. BGMR elected not to take a timeout and raced the ball up the court. The Drakes however played good transition defense and the Gators were unable to get off a solid shot thus sending the Drakes home with the win.
Several Gators had solid nights. Jacquan Rhen led the Gators in scoring with 22 points and notched a double-double with 11 rebounds. Nick Rodriguez also had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Tanner Creviston hit double figures in scoring with 10 points and played outstanding defense on Drake guard Trey Volk. Volk ended up with 19 hard earned points. The Gators Aaron Dostal had 9 points and 7 boards and Tyler Bentow had a career high 9 rebounds for the Gators.
Although the Gators played extremely hard it was a tough home loss and a game in which the Gators are going to need to start winning as tournament time gets closer. BGMR will finish up their home stand with a game on Tuesday night against a salty Warroad Warrior team. The Warriors have always been a tough match-up for the Gators but it should be another fans delight as these two teams seem evenly matched this year.
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