Rockets drop game to Webster in OT 53-49

Webster 53, Crittenden 49

Crittenden 11 21 31 43 49

Webster 4 16 32 43 53

Crittenden - Oliver 16, Clark 7, Nielsen 12, Porter 9, Gray 5, Pierce, Highfil. FG. 16. 3-pointers 2 (Gray, Oliver). FT. 11-20. Fouls 17.

Webster - Scott 22, Winstead 10, Doyles 7, Little 5, Turner 2, Baker 2, Tapp 4, Maver 1, Pitman, Harting. FG. 12. 3-pointers 5 (Scott 5). FT. 14-22. Fouls 17.

Although playing some of the best basketball they have put together this season, in the first half Tuesday at Dixon, it was still not enough to stave off Webster County as the Rockets dropped a hard-fought 53-49 decision in overtime.

Crittenden (3-9) had a tremendous defensive effort in the first half mixing things up between a 2-3 and 3-2 zone. It helped limit the Trojans to only one field goal in the first quarter as the visitors took an 11-4 lead at the conclusion of that quarter.

Webster continually misfired from the perimeter making just 1 of their first 9 treys.

After leading 21-16 at halftime, the Rockets were outscored 11-6 to begin the second half and the hosts knotted the game for the first time at 27-all, thanks to an old-fashioned three-pointer.

Trailing 39-37, Rocket point guard J. D. Gray put his team back on top connecting for a trey with 3:52 left in the third period. After losing the lead, Webster got burned long in their full court pressure defense as Patrick Nielsen extended the lead to 42-39 on a layup.

But in the end, surrendering 17 offensive rebounds and a bad 11-of-20 performance at the free throw line came back to haunt the Rockets as they could not pull an upset against one of the better teams in the Second Region.

Trailing 43-42 with :04 ticks left in regulation, Nielsen was fouled and went to the line for a chance to give his team the lead. But he missed the first and made the second to take his team into overtime.

Rocket off guard Casey Oliver was the only player who shot better than 50 percent for his team-going 3-of-4.

The tone was set early in overtime as the hosts controlled the opening tip and the Rockets allowed them four shots before getting fouled on that first offensive possession.

Leading 47-45, Scott connected for one of his five treys, giving his team a 50-45 lead they would never relinquish.

Oliver scored four of his team’s six points in the extra frame to keep Crittenden in striking distance, but it was still not enough to pull the upset.

After being defeated by 19 by the Trojans last month at home, Rocket coach Chad Hayes was pleased with his team’s play in the opening half.

Hayes lists Webster as the third-best team in the Second Region and was proud of his team’s effort throughout the contest.