Vikings complete 4th quarter comeback, win 56-50 vs. Bucks
Wed, 03/08/2017 - 8:27am
caleb
By:
Caleb Casey | Managing Editor
This game was a battle between two 14-win teams. The Bucks’ Caleb Keipert and Grant Smitz are outstanding players and we knew we had to play well in order to win. Roscommon controlled the tempo of the game and hit timely shots through the first two and a half quarters. In the middle of the third quarter, our pressure wore Roscommon down and we were able to crank up our transition game. We outscored Roscommon 34-13 down the stretch.”
– Rich Moffit, Grayling High School's Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
The Grayling Vikings trailed the Roscommon Bucks for most of Tuesday night’s nonconference game at Roscommon High School – the regular season finale for Grayling – but the Vikings battled back in the final eight minutes of regulation, opening the fourth quarter with a 15-2 run on the way to a 56-50 comeback victory.
The Vikings started slow and trailed 13-4 at the end of the first period. At halftime, the Bucks had a 24-18 advantage.
Grayling scored four points in the first quarter with two baskets by Troy Summers. In the second period, the Vikings scored nine points with a three-pointer by Christian Artress, a triple by Trey Moffit, an inside shot by Summers, a put-back by Nick Hunter, one free throw from Spencer White, and three free throws from Hunter.
The Bucks hit a three-pointer to open the third quarter. White scored on a drive. Roscommon scored four with a put-back and an inside shot. At the 5:48 mark, White completed a three-point play. The Bucks scored six unanswered points to lead by 14 points, 37-23, with 4:16 left in the third period.
Grayling responded with 10 unanswered points – the 10-0 run included two inside shots and two three-point plays by Summers – to pull within four, 37-33. In the last 1:44 of the quarter, the Bucks scored one point and Grayling did not score at all.
Going into the fourth period, Roscommon had a 38-33 lead.
Grayling scored first in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer by Artress. The Bucks scored on a put-back. Roscommon led 40-36.
The Vikings scored 12 unanswered points to turn a four-point deficit into an eight-point advantage. The 12-0 run included a put-back by Summers, two jump shots by White, a three-point play by Summers, a lay-up by Summers, and one free throw from White.
The Bucks hit a three-pointer at the 2:32 mark. Roscommon got a steal and scored on a jump shot. The Bucks fouled at the 1:18 mark and White made both free throws. Roscommon scored on a jump shot. The Bucks fouled White, and he made both free throws.
With 54 seconds left in the game, Grayling led by five, 52-47.
Summers stole the ball at the defensive end. The Bucks fouled at the other end of the court; the Vikings missed both free throws. Roscommon rebounded the second miss. White came up with a steal on defense and the Bucks fouled him to stop the clock. White, at the 0:33 mark, made both free throws.
A foul by the Vikings put Roscommon at the line for a one and one opportunity. The Bucks missed the free throw attempt but came away with the rebound. Summers blocked a Roscommon shot attempt and Grayling got the ball.
The Bucks fouled Moffit and he hit both free throw attempts, putting the Vikings up by nine, 56-47. Roscommon made a three-point shot at the buzzer. Grayling won 56-50.
“This game was a battle between two 14-win teams. The Bucks’ Caleb Keipert and Grant Smitz are outstanding players and we knew we had to play well in order to win,” Coach Rich Moffit said. “Roscommon controlled the tempo of the game and hit timely shots through the first two and a half quarters. In the middle of the third quarter, our pressure wore Roscommon down and we were able to crank up our transition game. We outscored Roscommon 34-13 down the stretch.”
Summers finished the game with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and two blocks. White had 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
“Troy Summers and Spencer White carried us offensively in the last part of the third and fourth quarters. Buddha, Nick Hunter, Trey, Sam (Davis), and Brent Weismiller were outstanding defensively down the stretch,” Coach Moffit said. “This was a really good win for our guys.”
The Vikings (15-5 overall, 10-4 league) will play in the District 63-B tournament this week.