Buzzer-beaters send Glacier boys past CMR in OT
GREAT FALLS — A pair of buzzer-beating three-pointers at the end of regulation and overtime allowed the Glacier boys basketball team to escape its season-opener at Great Falls C.M. Russell with a 62-61 win on Friday.
Glacier guard Kyle Griffith hit a three to force overtime after a rebound by Reid Siderius, then Bryan Michaels sunk a three-quarter court heave at the end of overtime to give Glacier (1-0) the victory.
“He had a pretty open look at it,” Glacier coach Mark Harkins said of Michaels’ game-winning shot. “I think they didn’t want to foul. Bryan took one dribble and let it fly.”
The Wolfpack trailed by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter.
“I was incredibly proud of my guys,” Harkins said. “I think they played as hard as any team of mine has ever played.
“It was a great basketball game. Both teams laid it out and I was proud of our kids for battling through and getting it done.”
Glacier played without all-state 7-foot center Ryan Edwards, who was out with a sprained ankle, but still managed to cause problems defensively by forcing 28 C.M. Russell turnovers.
Point guard Evan Epperly led the Wolfpack with 15 points, seven of which came at the free throw line. Griffith made 5 of 17 field goals and 2 of 4 free throws for 14 points. Michaels added 7 points.
Jayse McLean led C.M. Russell (0-1) with 21 points.
Glacier13148207—62
C.M. Russel121117156—61
Glacier – Kyle Griffith 5-17 2-4 14, Evan Epperly 4-11 7-17 15, Bryan Michaels 2-10 2-2 7, Logan Iverson 5-8 1-5 12, Matt Peters 1-6 4-4 6, Charlie Obermiller 1-1 0-0 3, Reid Siderius 2-5 0-0 5, Kalen Reed 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 20-60 16-32.
CMR – Jayse McLean 5-10 11-17 21, Anthony Bonilla 2-6 0-0 4, Josh Horner 4-7 0-4 8, Joey Marzion 7-14 2-2 16, Tanner Olden 1-3 0-2 2, Andre Langhorne 3-7 1-4 7, Mason Storm 0-3 0-0 0, Daekwon Carter 0-2 0-0 0, Eric Dawson 0-2 3-4 3. Totals: 22-54 17-33.
Three-pointers: Glacier 6-20 (Griffith 2, Obermiller, Siderius, Iverson, Michaels), CMR 0-14. Rebounds: Glacier 36 (Michaels 7), CMR 51 (Marzion 7, McLean 6, Horner 6). Turnovers: Glacier 22, CMR 28. Assists: Glacier 14 (Siderius 3, Griffith 3), CMR 18 (Marzion 4, Horner 4). Total fouls: Glacier 24, CMR 22. Fouled out: Iverson, Peters.