The match-up between top-four teams lived up to its billing. Lawrence North was victorious Jeffersonville on a DJ Hughes tip dunk before the buzzer in overtime.
After Dorean Hatton opened the scoring with a triple for Lawrence North, sophomore Will Lovings-Watts converted two free throws for Jeffersonville. Lovings-Watts had a great game for the Red Devils. He wasn't bothered by Lawrence North's size and athleticism. He was able to get to the paint off the dribble, hit spot-up shots, and score on offensive rebounds.
Iowa signee Tony Perkins scored nine of LN's first 25 points in the game. His all-around play helped the Wildcats build a 25-17 lead. The Red Devils bounced right back thanks to a three-pointer from Caleb Mason then a quick five points from Lovings-Watts. Mason hit three threes off the bench on his way to 13 points.
The third quarter saw the lead swing back and forth. For the first time, Jeffersonville held the lead for a chunk of the period. The Red Devils were up three late in the third quarter until CJ Gunn hit a three to tie it. The 2022 guaard scored nine points in the stanza.
Early in the fourt quarter, Jeffersonville held a 45-42 lead. Lawrence North answered with a 11-0 run. Gunn, DJ Hughes, Hatton, and Perkins played a role in the run. Lovings-Watts wouldn't let Jeffersonville fade. He scored six straight points to get the Red Devils back in it.
Tre Coleman, a Nevada signee, was slowed by foul trouble and the tough LN defense. He was able to come up big down the stretch. He grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with a minute to play for his first field goal. It tied the game. After CJ Gunn converted a Shamar Avance steal to give LN the lead, Coleman scored on an isolation play with 10 seconds to play.
The game went to overtime as Perkins missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
The early portion of overtime was filled with free throws. The game was tied with a minute to go before Avance scored off a feed from Hatton. Following the theme of the game, Jeffersonville answered with a tough pull-up by Jacob Jones.
With eight seconds remaining, LN found Perkins in the post as he had a smaller defender on him. He missed a shot in the lane, but DJ Hughes grabbed the carom and dunked it before the buzzer. LN won 61-59.
Hughes finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
CJ Gunn had 20 points and four rebounds. Tony Perkins added 11 points, six rebounds, and four blocks. Dorean Hatton had 10 points and five rebounds. Shamar Avanced added eight points.
Will Lovings-Watts had 24 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Caleb Mason tallied 13. Jacob Jones had 10 points and six rebounds. Tre Coleman recorded six points, four rebounds, and two blocks.