Tioga County Sports ReportVESTAL — The Owego boys basketball team sank twice as many 3-pointers as Vestal, but it was the Golden Bears’ final trey that proved to be key in the River Hawks’ 57-54 overtime loss here Monday evening.
Ryan Andrus nailed his only basket from beyond the arc as the Bears took the extra session, 9-6.
“Andrus made one shot the whole game, a 3-pointer in overtime that was the ultimate difference,” said coach Chris Evans.
“Duke Snyder got us into overtime with a 3-pointer at the buzzer at the end of regulation. It was a really good high school basketball game. It's too bad we made some miscues in overtime.”
It was Carter Rieg and Nolan Card who got Owego on track early, scoring six and four points, respectively, as the River Hawks started with a 10-9 first quarter edge.
The Bears received five points from Alex Sculley and four more from Caleb Kittle to surge in front, 21-20, at the half. Card put in another four points for Owego and Calvin Smith drained the first of his four 3-pointers.
Smith knocked down a trio of treys in the third quarter and accounted for 11 points as the River Hawks took a 35-33 lead into the final frame.
With Owego trailing, 48-45, Snyder nailed the buzzer beater to force the OT. He added another basket in the extra session while Smith connected for a pair of buckets, giving him a game-high 18 points.
Evan Webb scored four points in OT for the Bears while Brody A’Hearn, who was 6-for-6 on the night at the free throw line, sank a pair of freebies.
“Once again, some untimely turnovers led to our demise,” Evans said.
“There were a number of really solid performances, especially Cal Smith, however, we were unable to put them away when we had the opportunity.”
Rieg finished with 11 points, Kingston Brainard had nine, and Card and Snyder scored eight apiece.
Kittle and Scully put in 14 points apiece for Vestal and A’Hearn tacked on 11.
“We ended up 0-3 in overtime games this year,” said Evans, who placed the blame on his coaching.
The River Hawks (5-12) close out the season, and Evans’ longtime career at Owego, on Wednesday at Waverly.
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IN PHOTO: Calvin Smith. … TCSR STOCK PHOTO.
