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By Jeff Kessinger (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Perimeter shooting helped Buffalo chip away at a big deficit before Fair Grove, seeded fifth, rallied late to hold on for a 69-57 win in Gold Division first-round play at JQH Arena.
“We lost a couple of defensive assignments and, credit to (Buffalo), they kicked it to open guys and those open guys made shots,” Fair Grove coach Cale Ramsey said. “We thought if they kept shooting contested looks, we’d be in good shape. Thankfully we were, but we were a little too far off of their shooters and they took advantage of it.”
The Eagles looked like they were going to cruise into the second round after building a 42-25 lead at the halftime break. Fair Grove built that advantage with big runs. The Eagles outscored Buffalo 16-2 and 8-2 as they blew open a close game early.
But the Bison were not fazed. Coltin Henderson knocked down three big 3-pointers in the third quarter to spark a run for Buffalo. Jamen Smith then converted a 3-point play slash a 19-point deficit down to seven, at 50-43 with less than three minutes to play in the third quarter.
“We were just much more patient than we were in the first half,” Buffalo coach Kyle Gawlowski said. “In the first half we saw the lead get away from us a little bit and started to take quick shots and make rushed decisions. Our patience in the second half let us get back on defense and stop giving up layups in transition.”
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Fair Grove was able to clamp down defensively and hold Buffalo to one field goal over the next six minutes to rebuild the lead. Cole Gilpin, Ambrose Broyles and Dominik Hoskins teamed up to spark the game-clinching surge. David Oplotnik’s 3-pointer from the top of the key made the Eagles’ advantage 64-44 with less than six minutes left in the game.
“We knew Buffalo was going to make a run, but we were able to withstand that run and make one of our own,” Ramsey said. “We got back to doing what we do best.”
Gilpin finished with a game-high 17 points to lead Fair Grove. Hoskins finished with 16, while Broyles and Oplotnik chipped in 15 points each.
Buffalo’s Bode Abraham matched Gilpin’s 17 to pace the Bison. Henderson finished with 16 and Dominic Miller came off the bench to add 11. The Bison move to the Gold Division consolation bracket and will face Mountain Grove at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at Hammons Student Center.
“Our effort is always good. It’s just our discipline gets away from us at times,” Gawlowski said. “I’m always happy with how hard we play, we just have to lock it in mentally a little bit.”
Fair Grove also plays at 6:30 p.m. Friday. They’ll be in JQH Arena for a showdown with fourth seed Republic. It will be a big game for the Eagles, both the players and their head coach.
The Tigers are coached by Tim Brown. He coached Fair Grove for six seasons before moving to Republic last season. Ramsey left the Republic bench, where he served as an assistant coach to Trevyor Fisher, to take over for Brown. Ramsey was a standout point guard for Republic in the mid-2000s.
“Coach Brown coached some of these players, so it’s exciting for them,” Ramsey said. “For me it’s just another game. I grew up there, played there, I was a coach there, so it will be fun, but I’m just glad to get this one out of the way.”
