Dragons outlast Bears in double OT thriller
Clinton’s Tristan Lundy had an outstanding performance against Bradley Central in the Hammer’s Classic. The senior had a double-double scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds (photo:File Photo | Leah Gilbert )
The Dragons sealed the win when Ben Tackett sank a free throw with 6.7 seconds left in the second overtime.
Clinton had to rally in the first extra frame to force a second, after the teams ended regulation tied at 52.
In the second overtime, Clinton built a three-point edge late and took a 63-60 lead when Eli Slaven buried a 3-pointer with 2:22 remaining. But the Bears stayed within striking distance before Tackett’s clutch foul shot proved decisive.
Clinton led 20-19 at halftime and surged ahead with a 16-4 third-quarter run to take a 36-23 advantage.
However, Bradley Central responded with a 29-point outburst in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.
“That was ugly,” Clinton Coach Chris Lockard said.
“But the good thing was that we were able to get a win and see that there are still some things we need to work on. In the third quarter, we were able to get some separation, but in the fourth, Bradley Central defended well and hit shots. It was good to win.”
Tristan Lundy posted a double-double for Clinton with 21 points and 12 rebounds. He also had four steals and three assists.
Bryson Maddox added 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Slaven finished with 10 points and four boards, while Logan Hill and Cam Anderson each contributed seven points. Anderson had four offensive rebounds.
The Dragons (2-1 in the event) edged host Christian Academy of Knoxville 44-39 on Saturday, Dec. 20. Maddox and Anderson scored 10 points each, while Camden Nelson had eight. Hill and Lundy chipped in five apiece.
Clinton opened tournament play at home on Friday, Dec. 19, falling to Stone Memorial 80-69. Maddox poured in 28 points in the loss. Tackett scored 15 points and grabbed eight boards, while Lundy added 10 points and seven rebounds.