Oran outlasts Bell City in tourney's first OT

It looks like Oran and Bell City are pretty evenly matched.

Earlier this season, Oran slipped past Bell City by two points.

And Thursday night, the Eagles edged past the Cubs 83-78 in overtime in the quarterfinal round of the University High School Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center.

"We've played 'em twice already and they've been close games both times, right down to the wire," said Oran coach Mitch Wood. "We're two pretty even ballclubs."

But it will be fourth-seeded Oran that will take its 8-1 record into tonight's 6 p.m. semifinal contest against top-seeded Charleston. Fifth-seeded Bell City (7-3) will face Scott County Central at 3 p.m. today in the fifth-place semifinals.

Tyler Cookson had a monster game for the Eagles as the strong 6-foot-3 junior powered his way inside for 28 points, including six in the overtime.

"Tyler had a great game," Wood said.

Ryne Wood, a junior point guard who is the coach's son, added 21 points, including three free throws in the overtime period.

Patrick Friga chipped in with 17 points for the Eagles.

Bell City got 25 points from Eric Henry, who fouled out late in regulation. C.J. Hadley had 20 points and Dominitrix Johnson added 12.

Oran was able to prevail despite leading scorers Nathan Seyer and Wood missing large chunks of action after both picked up their fourth fouls midway in the third quarter.

"I really have to praise my bench," said Mitch Wood. "Our two main scorers were on the bench for a lot of the time, but guys came in and did a really good job."

The Eagles led most of the way, including by nine points on the two occasions, the last time at 64-55 early in the fourth quarter.

But the Eagles could never shake the persistent Cubs, who rallied down the stretch. They took their first lead since the first half with 1:07 left in regulation as a Johnson layup made it 72-70.

Cookson hit two free throws with 53 seconds left for a 72-72 tie. Neither squad could break the deadlock and it was on to a four-minute extra period.

Oran built a 78-74 lead, but Bell City came back with four straight points and forced a 78-78 tie on a Luke Phillips steal and layup with 1:13 left.

But that would be the final Bell City points. Wood hit one of two free throws with 59 seconds left to break the deadlock and Cookson followed up the miss of Wood's second foul shot, making it 81-78 with 59 seconds remaining. Wood's two free throws with 31 seconds left accounted for the final points.