Stellar Free Throw Shooting Helps Cromwell Boys To Overtime Win

Dec 20, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CROMWELL- It was eight straight free throws in overtime which propelled the Cromwell Cardinals to a 79-76 overtime victory Thursday night over the Hill City Hornets in a non-conference home win. The Cardinals, who made nine straight free throws at one point in overtime, finished the overtime stanza going 11-16 which sealed the Cromwell win.

The Hill City Hornets led 5-4 early in the first half, but didn’t lead again until with 20 seconds left in the second half when Time Benson put the Hornets in front by a score of 66-65. Jared Hutar would drive to the basket and get fouled with 5 seconds remaining and Hutar connected on one of two free throws to set up the overtime.

Hill City took a quick two point lead into overtime, but the Cardinals reeled off 12 straight points to take a 78-68 lead and held off a late charge in overtime to come away with the three point victory. The win moves the Cardinals to 2-3 on the season with the victory Thursday night.

Jared Hutar led the Cardinals with 24 points on the night including going 11-15 from the free throw line. Austin Pfistner scored 16 points; Hunter Rauvola added 14, while Brandon Fairbanks added 12 points for Cromwell.

Tim Benson of the Hornets led all scorers on Thursday night, finishing with a game high 30 points, including 20 points in the second half to keep the Hornets close in the game. Hill City had three others hit double digits in scoring; Nathan Oukrop and Austin Dunham who both scored 12 points and it was Mason Watkins who added 10 points in the Hornets loss.

The Cardinals will be back in action again next Thursday night when they will host Greenway at Cromwell High School. The Hornets fall to 3-4 overall and they will not be in action again till January 9th when they will take on the Cherry Tigers at Cherry High School.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com