The fans at Osbourn High School got everything they could have hoped for and more Tuesday night as the Eagles topped the Indians of Gar-Field in a thrilling overtime victory.
Osbourn won the opening tip and scored first, but Gar-Field answered by going on a 10-2 run to take an early lead. Osbourn was not to be outdone, as they went on an 8-2 run of their own to close out the first quarter with a 14-12 lead.
The second quarter was fairly slow-paced as neither team was able to score with any consistency. Both teams were playing lock-down defense, and as a result, the offenses had to take tough shots that were not dropping the majority of the time.
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After a first half in which the defense shined for both teams, Gar-Field was behind 30-24.
When the two teams came out for the second half, there was a noticeable difference in the energy and intensity from both teams.
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Both teams continued to play well defensively and offensively, sinking some shots. Osbourn held a 46-38 lead and appeared to be in control of the game with one quarter left to play.
Gar-Field got hot at the right time, as they started off the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run to close the gap to two points.
Both teams had players step up late in the fourth quarter and make clutch shots.
At the four minute mark, the Eagles got the ball inside to Izzy Freeman who spun to the baseline and put down a two-handed dunk that got the fans on their feet and also gave Osbourn the lead.
Gar-Field would not back down, answering with clutch shots of their own. But Eagle Jay Lane hit a huge 3-pointer from about five feet beyond the three point arc that tied the game.
Gar-Field took a two-point lead, which was answered by Jay Lane yet again who sank two free throws to tie the game with about 10 seconds to go.
Neither team was able to score in the final 10 seconds, and the game was sent into overtime with the two teams tied 60-60.
Osbourn took an early lead in overtime. But it didn't hold up for long as Raheem Johnson scored five points in under 15 seconds to give Garfield the lead back.
With Gar-Field ahead by one and under 20 seconds remaining, Corey Bedford hit what would turn out to be the game-winning shot as he knocked down a one-handed runner in the lane, putting Osbourn up by one and leaving Gar-Field six seconds to score.
After a timeout, Gar-Field in-bounded the ball to half court and Raheem Johnson dribbled into the lane and tried to throw up a buzzer-beater, but the ball never made it to the basket as Eagle Izzy Freeman came up with a huge block as time expired.
Gar-Field was led by Raheem Johnson who scored 17 points and Justin Pittman who tallied 12 points.
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