ROCK SPRINGS – After coming back from a long break with a win in Laramie on Friday, the Rock Springs Tigers let one slip away late against Cheyenne South on Saturday.

The Tigers lead for the majority of the game and entered the final period of play with a six-point lead, 44-38. A three to by Nick McMurtrey extended the lead to nine and after a bucket by the Bison, Jesus Beltran knocked down a jumper to keep the lead at nine.

Pressure defense and solid free-throw shooting by South led to an 8-0 run as the Bison pulled within one. A Kelby Kramer putback ended the run but the Bison kept coming at Rock Springs. South scored the next four and with 1:15 took the lead, 57-56. Hautala, who finished with 23 on the night to lead all scores, evened the game at 57 with under a minute to go.

South again responded from the foul line to bump the lead back up to two. With 13 seconds, Hautala drove strong to the hoop and after a three-point play, had the Tigers back in front by one. South hit one of two free throws and the Tigers advanced the ball quickly but a bucket at the buzzer was waived off sending the game into overtime.

The Bison scored the first four in the extra period but Hautala again cut the lead back two with under two minutes to go. After a free throw by South, Trevor hit two more from the charity stripe to pull the Tigers within one, 65-64.

With 1:30 to go, South converted an old fashion three-point play to go back up four, 68-64. Kramer answered with two from the charity stripe and after a turnover, Hautala found Kramer in the post to even the game at 68 with 30 seconds. The Bison regained the lead with one free throw but on the rebound, South sent Kramer to the line on the other side. The big man for Rock Springs hit two to put the Tigers back in front by one, 70-69, with 23 seconds.

South did not panic and looked inside. Another Tiger foul sent the Bison back to the foul line and two free throws later, South had regained the one-point lead. Rock Springs had one final look with four seconds but could not sink the shot as the Bison took the win, 71-70.,

Rock Springs finished the non-c0nference portion of its schedule with a 4-5 record. They will open conference play at home this Friday as Evanston comes to town. On Saturday, the Tigers will face new conference opponent, Jackson.

Rock Springs High School
sports coverage is brought to you by these amazing sponsors: