Broncos Rally for Overtime Win Over Oakley

PLAINVILLE-Jackson Cross scored 19 points including a key 3-pointer to send the game to overtime as the Russell Broncos Boys Basketball team rallied for a 60-57 victory over Oakley in their final game at the Mid Continent League Midseason Tournament.

The Plainsmen opened the game with an 8-0 run and led 18-11 after the first quarter on the strength of eight points by Will Schmidt.  Cross, coming off a career-high 32 points took matters into his own hands, scoring seven straight points to knot the score at 18 apiece before Oakley knocked down consecutive three-pointers to regain the lead at 24-18 on their way to a 30-21 advantage at intermission.

The Broncos used a low-scoring third quarter to draw closer but still trailed 39-32 heading into the final eight minutes of regulation.  In the fourth quarter, Russell chipped away at its deficit by making eight out of 12 free throw attempts and forcing numerous Oakley turnovers.  With the Broncos trailing by three points, Cross knocked down a three-pointer with 2:01 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 51-51.  Neither team scored during the remainder of the period and the game went into overtime.

During the extra session the Broncos got key baskets from David Pummell, and Jace Peerman and free throws from Peerman and Cross which proved to be enough to fend off two three-pointers by Oakley.  After Cross' made free throw with 2.7 seconds left, the Plainsmen had one more chance to tie the game but their three-point attempt was well off the mark and the Broncos finished 2-1 at the MCL Tournament.

Peerman joined Cross in double figures with 11 points while Schmidt led Oakley with 18 points, Corbin Bockwinkel added 14 and 13 while Jackson Pfeifer chipped in with 13.  Both Schmidt and Bockwinkel fouled out for Oakley during the overtime period.  

The final round-robin game for both teams was a turnover filled affair with Russell committing 23 infractions and Oakley turning the ball over 19 times.  

Russell (6-5, 1-2 MCL) is next in action on Tuesday, January 25 when they travel to Hoxie to take on the Indians.  It will be a doubleheader for both the Boys and the Girls with tip-off for the Girls game set for 6 p.m.  The games can be heard on KRSL AM 990/98.1 FM and be streamed online at KRSL.com