Cedar edges Pierce in OT thriller

HARTINGTON - You can throw the season records out any time Cedar Catholic and Pierce get together on the hardwood.

The two teams always battle each other to the end, no matter what they’ve done against other foes all season long.

Pierce came into Friday night’s contest here with an uncharacteristic 3-10 record, while Cedar entered the contest with a 7-3 record.

The records didn’t matter as Pierce rallied back from an early de cit to take the Mid- States Conference contest into overtime.

Cedar Catholic survived the rally to earn the 64-63 win. Both teams had a strong

night shooting from the floor. Pierce averaged over 45 percent, going 19-42, while Cedar went over 50 percent, hitting on 21-40.

While Pierce had the hot hand in the first half, going 9-18, Cedar picked things up in the second half, going 16- 28.

Still, neither team took a lot of shots until the fourth quarter came around. It then became a shootout as Cedar worked back into the game.

A three-pointer at the buzzer for Matthew Becker tied the game and sent it to overtime.

In overtime, Cedar would pull out a one-point victory, 64-63.

Becker led the way for Cedar, as the senior put up 21 points and was a rebound away from a double-double, finishing with nine boards.

Cedar was aided on defense with Jacob Keiser swiping a career-high seven steals. The typical sixth man started for the Trojans, contributing 11 points, seven steals, two rebounds, and two assists.

For Cedar, the win improves Cedar to 7-3 on the season. The Trojans next traveled to Creigh- ton on Tuesday.

This week, Cedar Catholic travels to Wayne on Friday, West Point GACC on Saturday, and hosts Ponca on Tuesday.

Pierce                12 13 13 18 7 — 63

Cedar Catholic 12 5 14 25 8 — 64

Team Stats   P       CC

FG           19-42    21-40

3PT            6-14     6-15

FT           19-30    16-29

REB           29         25

TO             15         19

SCORING

Cedar Catholic - Matthew Becker, 21; Tate Thoene, 15; Jacob Keiser, 11; Myles Thoene, 8; Brady Steffen, 5; Josh Pinkelman, 4. Pierce - Gavin Larson, 19; Dalton Freeman, 14; Carson Oestreich, 14; Dawson Watts, 12; Weston Neitzke, 2; Carter Rohrich, 2.

REBOUNDS

Cedar Catholic - Matthew Becker, 9; Brady Steffen, 6; Tate Thoene, 4; Jacob Keiser, 2; Josh Pinkelman, 1; Mason Schaefer, 1; Chase Lammers, 1; Cole Becker, 1. Pierce - Team, 11; Carter Rohrich, 4; Dalton Freeman, 4; Gavin Larson, 3; David Dale, 3; Dawson Watts, 2; Jadon Magdanz, 1; Carson Oestreich, 1.

ASSISTS

Cedar Catholic - Josh Pinkelman, 3; Jacob Keiser, 2; Brady Steffen, 2; Myles Thoene, 2; Matthew Becker, 1. Pierce - Gavin Larson, 1; Dawson Watts, 1; Carson Oestreich, 1; Dalton Freeman, 1.

STEALS

Cedar Catholic - Jacob Keiser, 7; Tate Thoene, 3; Brady Steffen, 1; Myles Thoene, 1; Matthew Becker, 1. Pierce - Dalton Freeman, 5; Gavin Larson, 1; David Dale, 1.

BLOCKS

Cedar Catholic - Myles Thoene, 1. Pierce - None.

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