Livingston Central scored five points in the closing seconds of a wild finish to Monday’s game against Caldwell County.
That allowed the Cardinals to pull out a 54-52 decision in the St. Mary Christmas Classic in Paducah — and avenge a 58-57 loss to the Tigers a week ago in Smithland.
Caldwell (1-8) appeared to be in good shape when Collin Whittington hit two free throws with 6.8 seconds to play to give the Tigers a 52-49 lead.
But Livingston (4-7) tied the game when sophomore Mason Hargrove’s 3-point attempt from the right wing found nothing but the bottom of the night as the final seconds seemingly ticked off.
However, Caldwell called a timeout with 0.9 seconds still remaining. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they were out of timeouts.
That resulted in a technical foul being called, giving Livingston two free throws.
Freshman Logan Wring knocked down both of them to put the Cardinals in front.
With just 0.9 seconds on the clock, all Livingston had to do was inbound the ball to finish off the victory.
Wring had 14 points and Hargrove 13 for the Cardinals, who also got 12 points from Will Orr.
Whittington had 19 points to lead Caldwell. JayDarius Wilson had 14 points and Zavy Bumphus 12.
Caldwell had won the previous six matchups with Livingston and 11 of the last 12.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again Feb. 17 in Princeton.
Monday’s game featured nine ties and seven lead changes.
Caldwell’s biggest lead of the night was eight points in the second quarter.
Livingston led by as much as three points in the final frame — the last at 49-46 with 2 minutes to play.
Whittington tied the game with a 3 at the 1:00 mark.
Caldwell edged ahead 50-49 when Wilson made the first of two free throws with 21 seconds left.
Following a late turnover, the Cardinals were forced to foul.
Whittington knocked down both charity tosses to put Caldwell up three, but ultimately Livingston’s late heroics pulled out the contest.
Tuesday’s schedule at St. Mary has Livingston taking on Dawson Springs in the fifth-place game at 3:00.
Caldwell plays Fort Campbell for seventh place at 5:00.
Carlisle County meets Fulton County in the third-place game at 6:30.
The championship game at 8:00 features Paducah St. Mary and Ballard Memorial.
Livingston Central 10 10 16 18 — 54
Caldwell County 13 12 11 16 — 52
Livingston Central (4-7)—Wring 14, Hargrove 13, Orr 12, Hosick 6, Render 3, Turney 3, Davidson 3.
Caldwell County (1-8)—Whittington 19, Wilson 14, Bumphus 12, Hammett 3, Rowland 3, Thompson 1.
