The Liberty Blue Jays claimed first place in the Lebanon Tournament late Saturday night with a very exciting overtime victory over the Ozark Tigers. In competing in their forth game in five days, the Jays showed a lot of mental toughness and perseverance to force overtime and then dominate the 4 min overtime period to win 77-68.
Ozark, who used a zone defense to try to slow the pace and force some outside shots, were hurt by JT Nixon's three 3s...none bigger than the last two which helped force overtime and his last helping put the Jays up for good in OT. Liberty hit 8 three pointers in the game. In addition to Nixon's big 3s, Jordan Lewis added 3 also. Denton Koon's 3 point field in the forth quarter helped the Jays draw closer after entering the quarter down by 3 pts.
With some questionable defensive effectiveness during the first three and a half quarters, the Blue Jays showed a lot of toughness with the game on the line late in the 4th quarter. Down by two points, 60-62, with under a minute to play, the defense stepped up and forced a turnover. Then with 13 secs, a Marshon Norfleet driving lay up off the glass tied the game. Again, the defense played with a lot of pride by not allowing the Tigers a good shot to win the game.
In overtime, Bryan Adams got the tip, and Koon quickly hit a 15 foot jumper to give the Jays a 64-62 lead. They wouldn't let up. After another stop and Nixon's 3, the Jays started to gain control of the game. Liberty outscored the Tigers 15-6 in OT in large part because of the Marcus Lucas' and Norfleet's offensive output and defensive boards.
For the third time in four games, the Jays had 4 players in double figures: Nixon, 16; Koon, 15; Norfleet, 13; and Lewis, 11. Lucas added some very timely 9 points.
Congratulations to Denton Koon, who averaged 18 points per game during the tourney, and Jordan Lewis, 14 pt/game, for making the All-Tournament team. Lewis deservingly earned MVP honors. Other Jays, Norfleet 14 pt/game and Nixon 10 pts/game were given All-Tourney consideration.
Liberty, who will have a week off to practice, plays host to Blue Springs on Dec 15 at Cokely Fieldhouse in their next game.
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