Ambrose Wins Overtime Thriller
It was a wild night in the Den tonight as two South division rivals clashed in both teams 2nd game of the season. The Lions are starting to make a habit of close games as just like last week they won by only 2 points! Similar to last week, after leading all game, a push in the 2nd half by the opposing team made it very interesting down the stretch.
This week, a run by the Kodiaks in the 3rd quarter help come back from what was a 15 point lead for the Lions just before the half. Both teams were very evenly matched with an identical number of turnovers (13) and a very even number of rebounds (LETH – 52, AMB – 50). This game came down to the final seconds, for a second, it had appeared the Lions had lost as the buzzer sounded with the Kodiaks up by 1, but on the last play of the game a foul was called on Pierce Strutt thanks to a strong drive to the basket. Stutt made the first of his free throws tying the game at 77, sending the home crowd into a frenzy knowing at the very least, their hometown Lions had forced overtime. Stutt's second shot just rimed out, sending the teams into a 5min overtime period.
Daniel Lybbert put the pressure on the Lions after nailing a 3 pointer off the start, however Lion, Isaac Grey quickly answered with his own 3, to even the game at 80. Riley Cordwell would get in on the party with 2 of his own 3 pointers after Kodiaks basket to put the Lions up, 86-85 with 1:09. A 3 pointer by Josh Daniel would add to the Lions lead with only 12 seconds left in overtime, going ahead 89-85, however a late foul by Jaden Green would allow the Kodiaks to close the lead to just 2. That is as close as they would get however, as although a 3 point shot by Lincoln Anderson came close as the buzzer sounded, the Lions, won their 2nd nail bitter of the season! The win puts the Lions at 2-0 going into a busy weekend next weekend with back-to-back games at Olds College.