Beaver Eastern called timeout with 20 seconds remaining in regulation with the score tied 53-53. After the timeout Eastern guard Lance Barnett drove and found Isaac Richardson cutting to the basket on the right baseline. Richardson attempted to convert the layup but New Hope junior, Lane Bruning, blocked the attempt to send the game to overtime. In the overtime period senior Simon Kuhlwein gave the Statesmen a quick lead 56-53 with a three point goal from the top of the key. The Eagles would cut the lead to 56-55 with 2 minutes remaining.
New Hope missed two front ends of a one and one and were unable to extend their lead in the final minute. Bartlet then drilled a free throw line jump shot to give Eastern a 57-56 lead with 20 seconds remaining.
New Hope advanced the ball past half court and called timeout with 13 seconds on the clock. New Hope inbounded to Kuhlwein who attempted to use a Bruning ball screen but fumbled the ball forcing him to improvise. He then drove left and sank a 15’ step back jump shot with 5 secs remaining on the clock to give New Hope the lead 58-57. Eastern called timeout to set up a final shot but were able to convert a 25’ three-point attempt by Barnett, allowing the Statesmen capture a hard-fought road win.
New Hope jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter 13-8, fueled by 8 points by Kuhlwein and 5 points by Bruning. The Eagles then closed the quarter on an 8-0 run to gain the lead 16-13. In the second quarter New Hope freshman guard, Hunter Cavanaugh, scored 10 of the Statesmen 12 points and the score stood 25-25 at the intermission.
The Statesmen built a 7-point lead after three quarters, 45-38, scoring 20 points in the period. Bruning scored 8 in the period and Cavanaugh, Kuhlwein and freshman Tyler Cook each hit a three-point goal. New Hope scored the first basket of the fourth period to take their largest lead of the night 47-38.
The Eagles then began to chip away at the lead and tied the game at 50-50 on a three-point goal by Brendan Slusher. Simon Kuhlwein immediately answered in the next possession with a three pointer to give the Statesmen the lead back 53-50. Then on the Eagles’ ensuing possession, Lance Barnett connected with a triple to tie the game 53-53 with 1:23 to go in the game. Neither team could score a basket in the closing minute as the game went to overtime.
New Hope was led by Simon Kuhlwein with 22 points including six 3-point goals. Lane Bruning tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds and 9 blocks, while Hunter Cavanagh chipped in 13 points with three 3-point goals.
“We made plays when we needed to”, said coach Shane Roese. “We had a nine-point lead and let it get away, but were able to regain our composure and make winning plays down the stretch. Simon scored the final 8 points of the game for us, Lane was 1 block from a triple double and Hunter stepped up and carried the offense in the second period. We are continuing to get better and are getting some solid contributions from our bench”.
The Statesmen (6-4) host Amanda Clearcreek Tuesday. The JV game tips at 6:00pm.