CP 77 - Washburn 76 (OT)

The Rebels jump out to a 15-8 lead with all five starters scoring. The Millers go on a 6-2 run to cut the lead to 17-14. The Millers ball pressure seems to be giving the Rebels trouble as they look to settle down.

With the score 30-29 with about a minute left before the half Davis leaks out and goes in for an apparent breakaway layup when a Miller player runs him down and from some angles it looks like an undercut and intentional foul. The refs don’t see it this way as Davis makes 1 of 2 free throws for a Rebel 31-29 lead. The Rebels add another free throw for a 32-29 lead. Duberry takes a couple of hard shots and falls, plays limited minutes and goes into the locker room looking query.

Washburn knocks down two 3 pointers and the Rebels go into a 1-3-1 zone. Pella answers with a 3 of his own as the Rebels lead 37-35 and Washburn calls timeout with 14 minutes to play. The Millers return to the floor and proceed to knock down four wide open 3 pointers against the Rebels 1-3-1 zone and take the lead and look as if they are ready to blow this one open.

The Rebels go back to their man to man defense and claw back into the game with four straight defensive stops. Zimmermann is fouled going to the basket and makes 1 of 2 free throws to cut the Miller lead to 55-54 with 5 minutes left.

The Rebels regain the lead 61-59 on a Williamson put back with 3 minutes left in the game. On a loose ball that sends Duberry and the Miller’s Thomas hard to the floor the call goes against Duberry who struggles to get back up, Thomas makes both free throws and the Rebels lead 62-61. This is the 3rd straight questionable call that goes the Millers way, timeout Washburn.

With the score tied at 67 with a minute left, Duberry is fouled and proceeds to miss both free throws. The Millers come down and don’t convert, rebound and timeout Rebels with 37 seconds left. The Rebels score and the Millers answer with 3 seconds left, 69 all, timeout Rebels. Duberry speeds the ball up court and kicks out to Zimmermann who misses a 3 point attempt from the left side, OT here we come.

The Rebels win the tap as Pella attacks the basket and is fouled, he makes 1 of 2. The Millers don’t score as Zimmermann is fouled and makes 1 of 2 for a 71-69 CP lead. The teams traded baskets; Walker’s steal leads to another 1 of 2 free throws from Pella, 75-74 CP with 29 seconds left. Williamson with a HUGE put back and the Rebels look like this one might be over with seconds left. The Rebels play great defense on the perimeter and don’t allow the Millers a 3 point shot look as they make a two foot basket with 2 seconds left in the game. In a game full of twist, the Rebels were able to hold on or should I say hold off the Millers for the win in overtime 77-76.

The Rebels have four starters in double digits with Pella leading the way with a season high 22 points as they extend their winning streak to 2 games and are now 3-2.

The Box:
Davis 16
Duberry 14
Gibson 2
Hager 2
Pella 22
Williamson 4
Zimmerman 17

Of Note:

• The Rebels were 27 of 41 from the free throw line.
• Duberry who played sparingly after his two hard crashes to the floor doesn’t look probable for tomorrow’s championship game
• The Rebels second OT game this year
• Williamson's 4 points were the Rebels BIGGEST points of the game
• Zimmermann shoots 17 free throws
• Pella goes 8 for 10 from the line (some huge ones in OT)