Pisgah Battles Back to Win in Double OT

For the second game in a row the Mount Pisgah Christian School boys basketball team battled back to win a game in double overtime. But Tuesday’s 67-63 win over Pinecrest was different as the Patriots (15-6) had to play the last 1:20 with only four players on the court.

“Maybe we should play with four all the time,” head coach Douglas Byrd said. “They [Pinecrest] were confused and looked like they didn’t know what to do.”

Pisgah trailed by six in both regulation and in the first overtime, but Pinecrest struggled from the free throw line allowing the Patriots back into the game. Kyle Sloter hit a leaner with two seconds left in the first overtime to force a second extra period.

With the game tied at 57 to start the second overtime the Patriots had already lost Blake Piedrahita, who had fouled out earlier. Joseph Marco hit a three-pointer to open the scoring.

Pisgah led 63-59 with 1:39 left when Danny Schneider fouled out leaving the Patriots with only five healthy players. Pinecrest hit one of their free throws to make it 63-60. Sloter was then whistled for an offensive foul with 1:20 left.

After missing both free throws, Pinecrest was unable to stop Marco who dribbled through and around double teams until he was finally fouled.

“They were the Harlem Globetrotters out there dribbling the clock out,” said Byrd of Marco and his three other remaining players.

The junior guard made both free throws to put Pisgah up five. Pinecrest was unable to capitalize on its offensive possession and two more Grant Williamson free throws closed out Pisgah’s scoring. Pinecrest hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make the final 67-63.

Sloter finished the game with 22 points, while Williamson and Schneider added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Saturday night against AAA Druid Hills, it also took two overtimes before the Patriots pulled away for an 84-77 win. Schneider led the way with 27 points while Sloter finished with 22 points. Piedrahita added 13.

Pisgah (2-3 in Region 5B-A) travels to No. 2 Wesleyan on Friday night in its next game. The Patriots host Providence on Friday, Feb. 11, and travel to Pinecrest on Feb. 12 in their final two games of the regular season.