(Stillwater)- In a game that is close from start to finish, every possession can be the difference between a win or loss. Every rebound, every missed shot is magnified in the end, and what might have becomes only a memory.
The Cushing Tigers saw their season end in Stillwater against Inola, which seemd to have the upper hand throughout the game, even though the biggest lead the Longhorns could muster was 7 points. Cushing rallied back several times in both halves…pulling within 2 at 16-14, then tying the game at 16. Inola took the lead again, and Cushing tied it again at 18. But again, late in the first half, the Horns pulled away and led 26-20 at halftime.
Cushing took the lead late in the third quarter, but could never get more than on possession ahead and Inola outscored Cushing in the fourth quarter.
Nick Edwards and Vincent Willis kept the Tigers close with a couple of 3 point buckets….and Philip Wilson had a three point play after a shot underneath to get Cushing to within one at 58-57. But Inola had run the clock down under a minute and Cushing had to foul to stop the clock. The Tigers had fouls to give, so Inola was able to run the clock down to about 30 seconds before getting to the line to hit free throws.
Cushing had gotten a steal on an inbound play, but a layup by Vincent Willis that would have tied the game wouldn’t crawl over the rim for the Tigers, who then had to put Inola on the free throw line….and they converted on three of four attempts down the stretch for the ninal margin of victory….61-57. The Tigers desperately tried to get another shot off but couldn’t get any late attempts to fall in….and the buzzer sounded with Cushing still trying to get a late bucket.
The loss drops the tigers to 21-6 on the season, and ends the 2007-2008 season.
Philip Wilson led the Tigers with 20 points.
Four of Cushing’s five starters will return for next season. Vincent Willis was the lone Senior among the starting five.
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