LIMA — Mansfield Senior’s Amil Upchurch had just two points on Saturday. But his two clutch free throws with 44 seconds remaining in overtime proved to be the crucial, game-winning points in a tense, 61-59 road victory at Lima Senior.
Coach Marquis Sykes is watching his young squad gain confidence, and this victory will certainly add to it. The Tygers moved to 2-0 after a tight tilt where neither team led by more than four points.
Senior High owned an 18-17 first-quarter edge, and opened a 36-32 margin at halftime thanks to 14 Spartan turnovers.
The two teams were knotted at 46 heading to the fourth period, and it stayed that way through the end of regulation, 56-56.
After Upchurch’s free throws, Lima Senior had two chances. But a turnover short-circuited one possession and a running three was offline at the buzzer to finish it.
Junior guard Nathaniel “Chunky” Haney topped the Tygers’ offense with 17 points. Sophomore guard Karion Lindsay notched 11 points and sophomore forward Elias “La La” Owens added 10.
Senior High struggled with foul trouble throughout the night, but found a way to win in spite of that issue. Senior wing Maurice Ware, who had a career-high 30 points in Friday night’s season-opening win over Wooster, was limited to six points.
Camren Mills countered for the Spartans with a game-high 26 points, while teammate Anthony Mosley chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds. Lima Senior falls to 1-1 on the season and will host Toledo Whitmer on Friday night.
The Tygers play at Mount Vernon in an Ohio Cardinal Conference affair on Friday night.
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