Roughriders Rough Up Bulldogs In Double OT

It took a college length game to settle the evening's first contest, but in the end it was Roosevelt that was too rough, or tough, for North Bend. Scoring 12 points in the second overtime, after a scoreless first extra period, the Roughriders put themselves into the final four.

"It's something these kids have been working on all year," Roosevelt coach Robert Key said. "They have so much energy, and after they run out, they still have the will to not give up."

The fifth ranked North Bend Brown Bulldogs (21-3), Champions of the Far West League, who were making their first appearrance in a boys' basketball tournament since 1959, took on the ninth ranked Roosevelt Roughriders (16-7) out of the PIL, and the only representative in the 4A boys tournament from a hybrid league, in the first game of the evening session. Four of Roosevelt's losses, it should be noted were to 6A competition.

The trend from the afternoon of allowing a lot of contact continued, which kept evreyone out of foul trouble, but would have some people in the ice tub afterwards.

Aaron Mateski's 2 plus 1 opportunity extended the Bulldogs' lead to 13-6 with 2 and a half minutes left in the opening quarter, but that proved to be the end of the scoring until Duke Mitchell knocked Roosevelt's Riley Charlish down shooting a three pointer in the last minute, and the three shots from the line pulled the Roughriders within 4 points, but Hamilton Mateski made it 15-9 after one period, as the Brown Bulldogs balance paid off.

Action was interupted for 15 minutes early in the second quarter in order to bring an official off the bench, in relief of the injured Teena Toyes, affording the teams effectively an extra halftime to make adjustments.

Charlis' three pointer cut the deficit to one point, but cold Roosevelt shooting prevented them from getting colser, and a three pointer followed by a seal and score by Duke MItchell sparked a 7-0 Bulldog run that opened a 10 point, 26-16 lead with just over three minutes left in the first half.

The double digit lead prompted North Bend to go to a spread offense, and it stalled thir surge. Roosevelt scratched their way back within 26-20 by the break.

J. Lucero (21, above) had the halftime statistical lead in both points, with 7, and rebounds, with 6. Charlish's 6 points led the Roughriders.

Second Half

J. Lucero picked up his third foul to start the second half, and Charlish sank a three pointer to again pull Roosevelt within one point, and Joe Morales' three tied it at 28 apiece.

Kai Johnson's three pointer put North Bend back ahead, but the Brown Bulldogs continued to struggle at the rim.

Bryan Archie gave the Roughriders their first lead since the first basket of the game midway in the period, and then extended it.

North Bend regained their feel for the game, and several lead changes ensued in what became a much more up and down the court game, with North Bnd taking a 42-39 lead to the fourth quarter, after a half-court Roosevelt shot at the buzzer rimmed out.

Logan Lucero's three pointer to start the third period went down though, and the lead was quickly 6 points again.

But just as North Bend looked poised to pull away, back to back baskets pulled Roosevelt back with 47-45 midway in the quarter.

Both teams showed signs of running low on gas, but Morales' three pointer put Roosevelt ahead 48-47 2:40 from the finish.

Jomarri Gable fouled out with 2:20 left, while H. Mateski was putting North Bend back up, 50-48. J. Lucero added a pair of free throws, but Antonio McCowan' three pointer made it a one point game again. Another three by Morales tied it at 54-54 with 39 seconds left.

A Roughrider steal at the 20 second mark might have been huge, but the pass that sailed out of bounds definitely was. The Roughriders' defense clamped down thogh, and four minutes of overtime ensued.

OT

North Bend turned the ball over, and Roosevelt decided to stand in the four corners, when North Bend wouldn't come out. At the 1:20 mark, Morales launched a three pointer, which missed. North Bend then held the ball in the spread. Johnson air balled a three pointer, and Roosevelt called their last time out with 13.7 seconds left to try for an overtime score.

North Bend then used one to try to deny one.

Morales' last gasp shot never had a chance, and another overtime resulted, making it a college length game.

OT2

McCowan connected on his three pointer, and Hamilton Mateski missed both free throws on the other end. Jackson Stump made both of his, though, makig it a one point game. Turnovers both ways excited everyone, but only shortned the game. Charlish's three pointer from the right side made it a four point game, but L. Lucero answered with a three pointer of his own, making it 60-59 Roosevelt with 1:13 left.

Morales, driving above, drew the foul call, and made it a 3 point game from the line with 1:01 left, and this time L. Lucero's three missed.

Morales made it a two possession game with two more free throws, and McCowan's steal tightened down the screws on the Brown Bulldogs. But Juwan Feliciano's free throw missed, and North Bend had a chance. Mitchell missed a contested layin though, and Morales' free throws, which gave him a game high total of 24 points, made it a three possession game with 30 seconds left.

L. Lucero missed another three with 20 seconds left, and Mitchell and L. Lucero missed two more. Roosevelt rode out with the 66-59 win.

Archie added 14 more to Roosevelt's total, and Charlish was in double figures as well, with 12 points.

J. Lucero (above) led North Bend, with 13 points, while H. Mateski added 11, and Johnson 10.

Roosevelt also overcame getting out-rebounded by the bruising Bulldogs, 40-30.

"(Knowing we were coming into this class,) I watched the 4A tournament last year," Key said, "and I determined that strength of schedule, win or lose, would be what would make the difference for us this year. These teams are good, but also tough. That's why we went and played Grant, Lincoln, Clackamas, so that we would be ready for this."

"That's one bear of a team we just faced," Key concluded.

(Photos by Kirk Mays)

Click here for full game photos

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