(Cushing)- The Cushing Tigers made it a happy homecoming celebration with a thrilling come from behind overtime win over Chandler Tuesday night at the Cushing High School Field House. The night got off to a good start for Cushing with the Lady Tigers dominating Chandler from the outset, and getting a 35-16 win over the Lady Lions. Jade Watson scored 10 and Alex Baumert, who would later be crowned homecoming queen, eight points. Cushing led at halftime 21-8, and 33-12 at the end of three quarters. It was the second straight win for the Lady Tigers who have struggled this season to a 4-14 record.
It was a slow start for the Cushing Boys varsity squad, who trailed Chandler most of the game. Heading to the halftime homecoming ceremonies, Cushing was down 10 points to Chandler 26-16, and Cushing had not looked sharp, committing numerous turnovers. But the Tigers roared back in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 18-8. But Chandler refused to give up, despite Cushing having a brief lead in the fourth quarter, Chandler was leading 46-43 with fifteen seconds left, after a bucket in the paint, and a free throw added on. Cushing had to move the ball the length of the floor and launch a three to have a chance to tie the game. The Tigers got the ball to Jordan Bush, who launched a three from the left corner but the shot was partially blocked and went out of bounds. Cushing was down to 6 seconds to inbound the ball and launch a three, with the Lions guarding the three point line closely. But the Tigers got the ball in, completed three passes around the arc when Dwayne Vaughn launched a three that hit nothing but the bottom of the net to tie the score at 46, and send the game to overtime. The Tigers dominated the overtime, outscoring Chandler 11-4, and hitting free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Philip Wilson led Cushing with 16 points, Vaughn finished with 11, and Casey Youngman finished with 10 points. With the win, the Tigers are now 14-4 on the season, and will play Tecumseh in the final home game of the season next Tuesday.
