BEARCATS CAN'T GET PAST PARIS

There were nine first half lead changes and the Bearcats drew even with Paris three times in the third quarter but each time the Eagles were able to go back in front and went on to take a 72-68 win Saturday night.

A Colter Fisher 3 tied the game at 32-32 with 5:22 to go in the third quarter and the game stayed tied until a conventional three-point play gave the Eagles the lead back 1:42 later.

Fisher (shown) was dominant throughout the night, finishing with a game-high 33 for the Bearcats (11-7, 7-4 Conference 3A-4), scoring 22 after halftime

A three point play by Noah Harrel got the Bearcats back into a tie at 41-41 but another three-point play on the other end put Paris back up 44-41.

Fisher answered with a basket and, after a Paris free throw – there were 23 such opportunities from that point on – a Dakota Mattson basket tied it at 45-45 with 1:14 on the third quarter clock.

The next four points came at the free throw line and Paris led 49-45 through three quarters and would lead the rest of the way.

Paris was up seven with 6:55 to play but a Jace Washburn 3 and a Fisher basket cut it to 53-51 with 5:40 remaining.

Washburn scored 17 in the game.

Three times the Eagles built the lead to seven by the 1:59 mark and eventually to nine with 1:29 to play.

It was again seven with 35.8 seconds to go a foul stopped the clock but an accompanying technical gave the Bearcats life.

After two Paris free throws made it 68-59, a free throw by Fisher and a basket, also by Fisher, on the ensuing possession, with a rebound from the missed and-one opportunity, followed by a 3 by Washburn made it 68-65 with 26 seconds to go.

Paris was able to hold on to the lead by making four-of-six free throws over the final 20.7 seconds.

Early on it was the Bearcats taking a 4-3 lead on a pair of Washburn free throws and again on a Washburn basket at 11-10 with 1:51 left in the opening quarter,

A 3 by Harrel gave the Bearcats their final lead at 16-15 with 6:28 to play in the first half. Paris scored the next six points on a 3 and three free throws and went on to build a six point lead, before settling for a 27-24 lead at the half.

The Bearcats will be back in action today taking on Hackett at Bearcat Gymnasium in what will be the final home game of the season. Having been postponed on December 16 and again last Monday, this is the third time the game has been scheduled.