SOUTHWEST BEATS COLUMBUS IN OVERTIME, 41-39

Southwest moved into a first place tie in District 15 with a 41-39 overtime win over visiting Columbus. It was the Eagles' sixth consecutive win and the third straight home victory over the Explorers (14-6, 9-1). It was a defensive battle the entire way with Southwest leading 11-5 after one quarter, and 13-11 at the half, before Columbus took a 30-26 lead entering the final regulation period. The Explorers scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to go up 35-26 with 6:15 remaining, but scored only one point the rest of the period. A free throw by Gio Gonzalez started the comeback and a two-pointer by Michael Juachon followed by a three-pointer by Gonzalez made it 35-32. With 0:21 on the clock, Ray Lleonart hit a foul shot, but 7 seconds later Columbus countered with one of its own. With the clock ticking down, Oscar Blanco got the ball with his back to the basket, turned and swooshed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime. In the extra period, a Leo Torres basket put the Eagles (11-2, 9-1) up by two with 3:16 remaining. With 40 seconds left, Explorers star Eddie Odio missed the front end of a 1-and-1 but the officials called a lane violation on Southwest. Odio made the most of his second chance, sinking both free throws to tie the game at 38. A Lleonart layup with 0:18 on the clock put the Eagles back up by two. Columbus' Alani Adekambi was fouled with 9.6 seconds left, made the first shot and missed the second. Juachon grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. He made the first of two foul shots and the Explorers missed a final shot at the buzzer as the capacity crowd stormed the court to celebrate the victory. Torres had 11 rebounds and 4 steals. The scoring:
Michael Juachon 17
Oscar Blanco 8
Gio Gonzalez 7
Leo Torres 6
Ray Lleonart 3