It was one of those games that was truly not over until the final horn. Dashawn Watson’s desperation heave from backcourt was after the horn and the Christian County Colonels survived a last-minute rally Saturday afternoon to get past Rowan County 71-69 for their second straight win.
The final quarter was one of wild momentum swings and big comebacks. Early in the fourth quarter, the Colonels found themselves trailing 53-44. Led by their defensive pressure, the outside shooting of Jordan Miles and Prince Northington, and power rebounding from Derrell Bateman and Theo Quarles, Christian County blitzed Rowan County with a 23-4 run, taking a 67-57 lead inside the final two minutes.
Just about the time it looked as if the Colonels were going to put the game away, the Vikings said ‘not so fast.’ Rowan County came storming back and cut the lead to just one at 70-69 with 4.9 seconds left in the game. Jordan Miles hit one of two free throws with 1.7 seconds left to make it 71-69.
Rowan County grabbed the miss on the second free throw and called timeout with 1.2 seconds left. After the timeout, the Vikings tried to get the ball to near midcourt, but could not get off a contested shot as the horn sounded.
The way the game between Christian County and Rowan County began Saturday, you would have thought the Vikings played in Lyle Dunbar Gym regularly. The Vikings came out and knocked down five 3-pointers in the opening quarter as they jumped out to a 21-13 lead.
The Colonels got rolling at the beginning of the second quarter behind Jordan Miles and Derrell Bateman and cut the lead to 25-24. But Rowan responded and ran off a 12-2 run to close out the half with a 37-26 lead.
The third quarter was a repeat of the second as Christian County cut the lead to 39-38, only to see the Vikings pull back out with a 11-3 run and take a 50-41 lead into the final frenetic 8 minutes of the game.
A big day for Jordan Miles, who led Christian County with 23 points. Derrell Bateman had 21 and Prince Northington added 11, including three crucial three-pointers during the fourth-quarter rally.
Colby Wilburn lit it up from the outside for Rowan County, finishing with 25 points, including seven 3-pointers. Brayden Mirus added 18 points for the Vikings.
Christian County (2-2) is back on the court Tuesday hosting the Bowling Green Purples.
RCHS — 21 16 13 19 – 69
CCHS — 13 13 15 30 – 71
Rowan County – Wilburn 25, Mirus 18, Watson 10, Maxey 7, Ingles 5, Parker 3, Winkleman 1
Christian County – Miles 23, Bateman 21, Northington 11, Riley 9, Quarles 5, Williams 2
