Okmulgee Bulldogs’ home opener against Preston was a roller coaster ride from start to finish.
Okmulgee Bulldogs’ home opener against Preston was a roller coaster ride from start to finish.
In the beginning of the game, the Pirates took nearly a 20-point lead before the Bulldogs made it on the board, but Okmulgee came back by the end of the game to tie and go into overtime. Preston took control of the extra quarter to win the game 65-61.
The Pirates came out strong in the first quarter, scoring double the Bulldogs’ points with the help of Jervais Goree who scored 11 points for the Pirates.
In the second quarter, the Bulldogs banded together to come back and take a 30-27 lead. Six Bulldogs assisted in the comeback, LaPatrick Vann with seven points, Braeden Williams and Justin James with four points each and Darin Miles, Keith Talton and Malachi Simmons with two points each.
The Pirates and Bulldogs ping-ponged back and forth the whole second half, Preston with the lead at the end of the third quarter and Okmulgee with the lead with just a few minutes left in the game.
The scores evened out and by the end of the game, both teams ended up with 54 points to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, free throws won the game for the Pirates as they scored nine points on 11 free throw attempts. Lance Porter also downed a two-point goal.
The Bulldogs tried to fight their way to the top with goals, James scoring two points and Simmons scoring five, but two of the Bulldogs’ top scorers, Miles and James, fouled out in overtime, giving Preston the chance to take the 65-61 win.
Goree scored nearly half of the Pirates’ total points and led the Pirates with 28 points.
Markhi Johnson followed with 14 points. Karaffren Bagby scored 11 points, Keyton Smith scored seven points and Porter and Malachi Ligons scored two points each.
Vann, Miles and James all tied for top scorers for the Bulldogs with 16 points each.
Malachi Simmons scored seven points, Williams scored four points and Talton scored two points.
The Bulldogs played Hilldale Thursday and will play Beggs at home next Tuesday.
The Pirates host Henryetta Friday and will play at Barnsdall next Tuesday.
