US Outlasts Lancers in Overtime

The Preppers and Lancers battled back and forth in a game that was not decided until the final horn blew. US came out strong on the offensive end, but could not slow down Willowick on the defensive side of things as Willowick took a 15-11 lead after the first quarter. A strong inside presence by Will Hilkert and Isaac Kane in the first half allowed US to take the halftime lead by the score of 21-17. US found themselves ahead by six points with two and a half minutes left by a count of 40-34. However, Willowick would score on each of it's next three possessions to tie the game up and force the teams into overtime. The Preppers took an early lead in the overtime period as Donald Jones connected on an old fashioned three point play to put US back in the lead. The Lancers would answer with a press defense and two buckets of their own to take the lead 44-43 with under a minute left to play. On the next possession Alex Brooks corralled an offensive rebound and went up strong to re-take the lead 45-44 for US. The team then played clamp down defense and the Lancers missed a wild three point shot and US recovered the rebound. After a few turnovers by both teams the Preppers were fouled and Donald Jones hit one of two free throws with 2 seconds left to clinch the game for US. 

In the second half Donald Jones shut down the top player from Willowick and was also a force on the other side of the ball as he added eight points for the team including four clutch points in overtime. Luke Vadas had seven assists for the Preppers as well as six points to help the team. Matthew Gibbons added seven points and some big rebounds, and Alex Brooks finished the game with a team high nine points. Will Hilkert had six points, Isaac Kane and John Mangelluzzi added four for the squad. Michael Hill rounded out the scoring with two points. 

The cardiac kids are next in action at home on Thursday at 4:15 PM.