Game Audio Below:
Salem won the tip to start the ball game and missed their first shot and got an over-the-back foul to start the game. Willow came back and missed their first possession as well. Salem were the first to go on the board to start the game, but willow responded quick with their first bucket. The tigers had a pretty nice run in the quarter, but willow got into a nice rhythm to keep the score tight. The whole first quarter was close, tight scoring from each team and constantly changing the lead. Salem’s offense became hectic, with lots of careless shots being taken, causing willow to take a strong lead. Willow lead at the end of the first quarter 20-11. Willow opened up the second quarter with a nice bucket to push their momentum. The tigers then picked up their intensity and started to get back in the ball game. It got a little sloppy In the 2nd quarter with many fouls and lots of loose balls on the court, not necessarily the best basketball being shown, but the tigers were catching up to the bears. The halftime score was 32-30, with willow barely holding on to the lead.
The second half opened up with Salem having the ball. They miss their first shot and willow got the rebound and ran quickly back down the court, but also missed their shot as well. Salem tied it up 32-32 after being down double digits in the first half. It remained back and forth throughout the 3rd quarter, both teams scoring each possession and playing better than they did the previous half. The 3rd quarter ended 46-46, both teams neck and neck going into the final quarter. The 4th quarter started with willow getting a trip to the line to try and gain a lead. The game was still very close throughout the quarter. Both teams were playing tremendously well, they were really in the zone. Willow called a timeout with 2 minutes remaining after Salem hit a nice three to go up by 1, the game was coming down to a last shot. With 1 minute remaining, the bears were down by 2, and they had to pull something huge in order to win the game. Willow missed 2 shots with 34 seconds left giving tigers the ball. Willow tried fouling them quick to get Salem to the line. Willow hit a 3 to tie the score then got a crazy steal with an and 1 to go up and take the lead, a crazy turn around late in the game. 61-59 was the final score, with willow taking away the win.
Willow Springs Bears will be back in action on Friday night, February 13th as the take on the (9-13) Ava Bears on the road. Game Time, 7:30 PM on KUKU 100.3 Classic Country
