Outlaws clip the Eagles in overtime

Sisters took down the Stayton Eagles 50-48 in overtime in an action-packed nail-biter on the hardwood on Tuesday, December 2.

The score went back and forth the first quarter and was tied four times. Ross Erickson put down a bucket at the close of the quarter to give the Outlaws a 13-11 lead.

Sisters maintained the lead until just before the buzzer sounded to end the first half. In the final second of play the Eagles scored and went up 24-22.

The Outlaws were outscored by three in the third quarter. The Eagles post defense made it hard for the Outlaws to get good looks in the post. Sisters took several shots that, unfortunately, they were unable to knock down.

The Outlaws picked up the pressure on defense in the fourth quarter and only allowed the Eagles one basket. Erickson got the crowd on their feet early in the period with a dunk which closed Stayton's lead to 36-33. With 48 seconds remaining in the game Erickson did a repeat performance, stole the ball, went the length of the court and slammed down a dunk with both hands. The crowd erupted as the Outlaws went up 42-41. Stayton came back with six seconds left on the clock, scored and was fouled on the shot. The extra point went down and Stayton recaptured the lead at 44-42. With point-eight seconds left Levi Rowe scored to tie the game and regulation play ended at 44-44.

Tyler Miller, with a nice dish from Erickson, scored at the start of the three-minute overtime for the only bucket of the entire period.

All other points scored came from the free throw line.

Stayton went to the line three consecutive times and made three of their six attempts to go ahead by one at 47-46.

Sisters tied it up 47-47 and then with 1:26 left on the clock Drew Harrison drained both his free throws to push Sisters to a 49-47 advantage.

The Eagles scored one more point at the line with 20 seconds left on the clock to close the Outlaw lead to one.

Harrison put down one more free throw to put Sisters up by two at 50-48.

The Eagles missed a lay-up attempt and the Outlaws grabbed the rebound with 1.6 seconds left on the clock.

Time ran out and Sisters secured the win.

Erickson led the Outlaws with 23 points, 14 rebounds, five steals and three assists. Rowe contributed nine points and Drew Harrison added eight. Miller scored six points and pulled down five boards. Lee Elder had four rebounds on the night.

"Ross (Erickson) came through big for us tonight," said Coach Jake Rothauge. "The steal and the dunk for us to take the lead late in the game really sparked our energy."

Rothauge told The Nugget he was also impressed with Rowe and Cory Holt.

"I was impressed with Levi's composure when he hit the shot at the buzzer to send it into overtime," said Rothauge. "And Cory did a great job coming in for us in the third quarter. I asked him to play defense on Stayton's point guard and he deflected a couple of passes and made it hard for their point guard to do anything."

Rothauge said it was an awesome basketball game and he couldn't have asked for more.

"The crowd was great and gave us energy and we appreciated that," said Rothauge. "A win in overtime - I couldn't ask for more. Our performance tonight was awesome. We were excited, ready to play and did well."