As the early boys basketball season continues to play out, Lorain took a visit to Cleveland to take on the Ironmen from Cleveland Central Catholic on Dec. 6.
After blowing a 10-point lead late in the fourth and Central Catholic forcing overtime, Lorain emerged victorious, 59-55. Isaiah Kielian led all Lorain scorers with 16 points, followed by 15 from Dennis Pettis and 11 from Ike Rowser.
END Q4 (VIDEO)
We're going to Overtime!
49-49 tied up. @lorainathletics@MJournalSports@MarkPerezK10 @travisnelson40
Video pauses for file to upload to Twitter pic.twitter.com/vjnD4vw1XC
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) December 7, 2022
“We just never gave up,” Asiah Kielian said. “We were up 10, some things happened and they ended up cutting the lead and forcing overtime. We didn’t give up and kept our heads high, and we fortunately took the dub.”
With roughly 2:30 left to go in the overtime, Rowser showed off his handle skills and banged home a deep triple to strike for first blood in the extra period.
Lorain Triple! 52-50 2:12 now after CCC misses 2nd FT pic.twitter.com/Yn7jmrzpbz
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) December 7, 2022
While the Ironmen hit one of two free throws at the other end of the floor on their next possession, Pettis saw a lane open and drove to the basket and drew the contact for an and-one. He sunk the free throw to put the Titans up five and swing the momentum fully in the visitor’s favor.
Dennis Pettis drive and-1. 1:16 @lorainathletics up 55-50 @MJournalSports @MarkPerezK10 @travisnelson40 pic.twitter.com/8sZJENRTGS
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) December 7, 2022
“I saw that (the defender) was playing high up,” Pettis said. “I had my whole right side open. I knew I could get to the basket because I’m fast. When I got there I just finished and hit the free throw so we could play solid defense.”
It was a solid win for this Lorain squad, especially facing as much pressure late with victory almost slipping away before Rowser’s 3-pointer and Pettis’ layup.
“We stayed together and stayed the course,” Lorain coach Matthew Kielian said. “I talked to the team earlier and told them we’re going to have some runs and we’re going to have some ups and downs and those guys are going to have some runs. But give credit to Cleveland Central Catholic and their coaching staff and their players. They really gave us a fight and made us work for it.
“We knew coming into the game, they were going to be a tough matchup for us and get after it. I credit our team as well for sticking together, going down early, coming back, and giving up a lead. Then to be able to fend them off in overtime is a credit to our players.”
Lorain was up, 10-7, with just under 3:30 to play in the opening period when Central Catholic went on an 11-2 run to close out the final few minutes, keyed by some questionable passes and turnovers created by Central Catholic’s pesky defense.
The momentum started to shift quickly in the second quarter, as a Rowser 3-pointer swished through the net and a Christian Ruiz basket just four minutes before the half cut Central Catholic’s lead down to one.
While Lorain still turned the ball over, it was able to lock in on defense and keep the Ironmen scoreless until 2:08 before the intermission and hold a two-point edge. The Titans entered the fourth quarter up by five.
Lorain improved to 2-1 on the young season, as its next matchup is a Dec. 9 home matchup against Shaw.