Close games are nothing new to Trigg County on the hardwood this year. So going to double overtime against Livingston Central Friday at Wildcat Gym was no shocker. The Wildcats hit 9-of-11 free throws in the second half and overtime periods to beat the Cardinals 59-55 and move into a first place tie with Livingston atop the district standings.
The game was close throughout with neither team leading by more than three points in the fourth quarter. Down 43-41, Trigg missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left. Livingston Central grabbed the rebound, but Conner Barnes stole the outlet pass and fed Kendric Adams for the tying bucket to send the game to overtime.
In the first overtime, Cameron Dean hit a pair of free throws with 1:26 left to give the Cardinals a 49-46 lead. Devron Triplet answered with a bucket with 41 seconds left to bring Trigg to within 49-48. Dean hit one of two free throws to put the Cards up by two. Adams was fouled going to the rim and hit one of two free throws to send the game to a second overtime.
Livingston again grabbed the lead in the second overtime period, but Conner Barnes buried a 3-pointer, and Adams added a pair of free throws for a 54-51 lead. Barnes and Adams would each hit two more free throws to hold off the Cardinals in the end.
Three Wildcats – Triplet, DeOvion Day, and KiRome Bingham – each scored 13 points. Day added 18 rebounds, while Triplet handed out seven assists. Adams scored nine points and had six rebounds.
Livingston Central (10-7, 3-1) got 19 points from Dean and 13 points and four assists from Cameron Head.
The Wildcats have played eight games this year decided by five points or less and have won five of the eight. Last year, they were 0-4 in games decided by five points or less.
Trigg County (8-5, 3-1) returns to action Tuesday when they host Calloway County at Wildcat Gym.
