Kayin Jackson's contested lay-up with 0.9 seconds remaining proved to be the difference as the Gibraltar boys basketball team squeaked past NEW Lutheran Tuesday night 69-67 in overtime.
Early turnovers plagued both teams' offensive momentum before the Vikings' Luke Rericha and the Blazers' Grayson Herlache were able to get their respective teams on track. Rericha hit three three-pointers in the first half to help the Vikings take a 31-27 lead into the locker room.
The teams' leading scorers got on track in the second half as the Vikings' Kayin Jackson and Braden Kita were countered by the Blazers' Reid Nelson and Hayden Schultz. The Vikings would build a lead of up to 10 points before the Blazers could tie the game late. A Jackson lay-up gave the Vikings a three-point lead before Herlache delivered a game-tying three-pointer that forced the extra period.
Marco Jauregui helped keep the Vikings ahead in overtime, but Jackson's lay-up ultimately delivered the Vikings their first win of the season.
The Vikings were led by Jauregui's 22 points, followed by Jackson's 16 points, and 13 points apiece from Kita and Rericha. The Blazers were paced by Herlache's 19 points followed by 14 from Nelson and 11 from Schultz.
The Vikings return to action on Friday night when they host Oconto. Tim Kowols will have the call on 105.1. The GOAT will begin at 6:45 p.m., with the pregame show followed by the tip at 7 p.m.
