Heartbreaking Loss

Basketball is a game of runs and swings. Last night was a prime example. We hosted the Royals of Lake Region State College in a game that expected to be high scoring. The two teams did not disappoint, as the Royals went home with an 101-99 overtime win after a furious Lumberjack comeback fell just short.

The first half was the ultimate game of runs with the biggest being a 9-1 DCB run that gave the Jacks a 25-19 lead that would prove to be the biggest of the half. For most the rest of the half we would lead by 3-5 points, that was until a 6-0 Royals run turned a 48-43 Jack lead into a 49-48 deficit at halftime. In the first half both teams shot well, LRSC hit 52% from the field and DCB 49%. The difference was at the line as the Royals held a 12-7 advantage. For the Jacks all nine who saw action scored at least two points.

The second half was back and forth early, around the midway point Lake Region went on a 11-3 run to turn their two point lead into a ten point lead at 69-59. The lead would be between seven and 10 for a few minutes, until the Jacks went with four guard and turned up the heat. The turnovers mounted and the lead melted. Eventually it would be all tied at 99, staying in our press JJ Morris secured a steal at half court went for the layup, missed, an Eric Elliott rebound was missed, then Malik Jones got hold of one and was fouled on the attempt. He would go to the line with 0.4 left on the clock and a chance to seal the game, it was not to be as both free throws came off the front of the rim forcing overtime.

In the OT, the teams traded baskets to start, eventually a Morris three would leave Lake Region up 100-99, a foul and free-throw later it was 101-99 with 5.4 seconds to go. The Jacks in bounded the ball under the Royals hoop when Morris drove the to the right wing and shot up a prayer that did not fall ending the game with the Royals getting the two point win.

For the game, LRSC shot 47% overall, while the Jacks hit 45%. Neither team shot the three well combining to hit 11-36 overall. The Royals dominated the boards by a 59-36 mark including 22-13 on the offensive boards, which lead to 10 second chance points. Morris lead the way for the Jacks with 25 points and five steals, five other DCB players scored in double figures as well.