Pioneer senior guard T.J. Roberts hit four free throws in final minute to seal the 70-66 win over Huron.
Ann Arbor Huron took a four-game winning streak into Friday at Ann Arbor Pioneer in a Southeastern Conference Red matchup which went down to the wire.
With timely three-point shots and clutch late-game free throw shooting, Pioneer (16-3, 8-1 SEC Red) was able to secure a 70-66 victory over the River Rats (14-4, 7-1) despite turning the ball over 16 times against the River Rats’ vaunted full court press.
“The defense they played was a high-risk, high-reward defense,” Pioneer coach Rex Stanczak said. “So yes, we turn the ball over some and it led to some baskets for them, but when we didn’t turn the ball over we scored. It took a while but we figured it out and fought back.”
Fought back was an understatement, as Pioneer rallied after being down as much as 15 points. The River Rats defense forced Pioneer into four turnovers in the second quarter for an 8-0 run, swelling Huron’s lead to 24-9 with 5:03 remaining in the half.
But Pioneer wouldn’t go away quietly. After cutting Huron’s lead to 33-27 at halftime, senior guard T.J. Roberts and junior forward Jordan Currie combined for 14 points in the second half to fuel the comeback.
“We went to the locker down six and coach just told us ‘we’ll be good,’ ” Roberts, who scored 22 points, said. “We had the student section behind us and we were confident we could come back and win this game.”
Pioneer built up momentum in the second half using the perimeter. Junior guard Chris McGaughy scored 15 points in the second half, including four three-pointers to keep Pioneer close. McGaughy hit a 25-footer to give Pioneer a 66-64 lead with 2:35 left in regulation.
“I’ve had a stretch of like four games where I’ve shot the ball poorly,” McGaughy explained. “I was very happy to come out here and help my team get this win and shoot well to do it.”
With the game tied at 66 in the final minute, Roberts was fouled twice and hit four free throws to seal the victory.
“I’ve been hitting free throws all season and I wanted the ball in my hands in the end.” Roberts said.
Lawrence Rowley led Huron with 16 points.