VANDALIA — After rallying in the second half to force overtime, Indian Lake’s boys basketball team didn’t have enough gas left in the tank to finish off Greenon here Saturday in a Division III sectional opener.
The Lakers overcame an 11-point third-quarter deficit to go up by five in the fourth period. Greenon chipped away to get the score knotted up 54-54 at the end of regulation.
The Knights then dominated the extra period, outscoring the Lakers 13-6 to take a 67-60 win.
“We came out flat in the first half and you can’t do that against a good team like Greenon,” said Indian Lake coach Zach Overturf. “We played with a lot more energy in the second half but we had a lot of guys get in foul trouble. In overtime, I think we were a little scared to contest shots or block a shot because those guys knew we needed their offense.”
Greenon built a 14-9 lead after one quarter and the Knights held a nine-point cushion (26-17) at halftime.
The Knights pushed their lead to 11 just a few seconds into the third period before the Lakers came alive.
Indian Lake used a 20-9 run to tie the game at 37-37 at the end of the third period.
The Lakers scored five straight points at the start of the fourth quarter to lead 42-37.
Greenon fought back to take a two-point advantage. The lead changed hands several times in the final minutes.
Clay Jacobs made two free throws to put the Lakers ahead 54-52 with 39.9 seconds left in regulation.
The Knights tied the score again with two free throws by Jaden Journell with 25.2 seconds remaining.
Neither team was able to put the ball in the basket again before time ran out, bringing on an extra four minutes of action.
The teams traded baskets to start the overtime period before Greenon took the lead for good on a bucket by Cade Rice with 2:55 left.
The Knights stretched out their lead at the foul line as the Lakers were forced to foul.
Indian Lake standout senior Austin Parker scored a game-high 24 points. Jacobs had 14 points and Nate Reichert added nine. Journell and Rice led the Knights with 18 points apiece.
Greenon, now 13-9, advances to play Versailles at 3 p.m. Saturday in the sectional final. For the Lakers, Overturf was forced to say good bye to a six-man senior class.
“It’s tough,” said Overturf. “I’ve been with those guys for five years. They have always been a security blanket for me. Even outside of basketball, they are great kids and I’ve developed life-long relationships with them.”
Three pointers: Greenon 7 (Minteer 2, Hough, Rice, Journell, Potter, Downing); Indian Lake 2 (A. Parker, LaRiva). Team fouls: Greenon 12; Indian Lake 20.