By John Bombatch
FAIRBORN — The host Fairborn Skyhawks jumped out to a big fourth-quarter lead, lost it all, then bounced back in exciting fashion to earn a 60-54 overtime win against Miamisburg, Friday night at Baker Memorial Fieldhouse.
The Skyhawks seem to have a knack for making things exciting.
A few days after losing to Troy by one point, Fairborn was on the brink of losing to the Vikings in regulation. That would have particularly stung, knowing they had held a 40-24 lead after three quarters of play.
Jordan Pumroy hit the front end of a double bonus freethrow situation to tie the game at 45-all, but missed the second try. Fairborn had last-second tries from both Pumroy and Skyhawk teammate Ryan Profitt, but neither fell through for the win.
Miamisburg had outscored Fairborn, 21-5, to send the game into overtime.
But in the overtime period, Fairborn went on another scoring run.
First, Branden Lilley drained a 3-pointer from the top of the arch, and was fouled. Lilley hit the free throw for a 4-point play. Then, Leslen Switzer canned a trey from the left win on Fairborn’s next trip down the court to go up, 52-42.
Pumroy hit another free throw, Profitt sank a bucket. Next thing you know, Fairborn is out in front 55-45 with 1:52 left in the overtime period.
Miamisburg hit two late shots in the closing seconds for the final, 60-54 score.
Fairborn coach Nathan Chivington was anxious to get into the locker room to talk to his players, but quickly summed up the game before going in.
“Miamisburg did a great job battling back. They wouldn’t let us build up a lead on them and just kept it close. They took the lead and our guys found a way to battle back … it would’ve been nice if we’d have made some more free throws, though. Defensively, I thought, in overtime especially, that the adjustment we made in the overtime period paid off, and our guys executed extremely well down the stretch,” he said as he hurriedly opened the door to the rowdy Fairborn locker room.
After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Pumroy came back to lead all scorers with 19 points. Lilley scored eight of his 15-points in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
The Skyhawks were 3-of-8 from the free-throw line in their 5-point fourth quarter. They improved to hit 6-of-7 tries in the overtime period.
Miamisburg’s Tim Fries was still talking to his players after the contest and was not available for comment.
Tyler Sidenstick led the Vikings (2-3, 0-1 Greater Western Ohio Conference, South Division) with 14 points, 10 of which came in the second half, and Jason Hubbard also finished with double-figure scoring with 13. Hubbard hit a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to spark the ‘Burg rally. All 13 of his points came in the second half.
The win moves Fairborn (2-1, 1-0 GWOC South) into a tie for first place with Xenia (a 64-57 winner Friday night over Lebanon) and Springboro (a 83-33 Friday winner over West Carrollton) in the division.
Fairborn will host Trotwood-Madison on Monday for its next game, while Miamisburg hits the road today at Sidney.