Hampshire outlasts Jacobs in 2 OTs
Normally, going 16 minutes without a field goal would mean a team was in deep trouble.
Hampshire found a way to overcome that, and Jacobs, by making the shots where no one was guarding.
The Whip-Purs scored their last 17 points at the free-throw line Friday night to hold off the Golden Eagles, 54-48, in double overtime of their Fox Valley Conference game at the Eagles' Nest.
"We want to be aggressive and attack the basket, that's one of our main points," said Whips guard Collin Woods, who scored a game-high 18 points. "That happened to be where we got out points."
Both teams made it difficult on one another defensively after the third quarter ended with Hampshire (16-6, 9-3 FVC) ahead, 37-34.
Hampshire finally was able to find some distance with 1:06 remaining in the second overtime when Keynan Davis was fouled by Jacobs' Zach Leahy, who also was assessed a technical foul. The Whips made four free throws on that possession to make it 51-45.
Jacobs' only points in the second overtime came on Jaden Henderson's 3-pointer with 6 seconds remaining.
"It was a very fun game to play in, double overtime, so much fun, but it's heartbreaking to lose to them our senior year," said Jacobs forward Andrew Balkcom, who scored six of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. "It's just tough. We amped up our (defensive) pressure, made sure we stayed solid on defense and worked in practice hard to prepare for their stuff."
Hampshire had the final shot at the end of regulation and the first overtime, but missed both times. Still, the Whips never played from behind in either overtime period.
"That does help," Hampshire coach Mike Featherly said. "The last two shots to win the game does help. You feel a little bit more in control. It didn't feel like we were trailing or anything. It's nice to see our guys handle a little bit of adversity too. We kept our calm and it was the next-play mentality."
The Whips stretched their winning streak to five games. Keynan Davis and Nick Erickson each scored 12 points for Hampshire, which hit 17 of 22 free throws from the fourth quarter on.
Henderson hit a free throw with 21 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Leahy hit a 3 from the right corner with 34 seconds to go in the first overtime to send the game to a second period.
Jacobs fell to 13-9, 7-5.
"I don't know how a community or a coach could be more proud of a team's effort," Jacobs coach Jimmy Roberts said.
"Our kids are so undersized and overmatched in a lot of ways. We're rolling 5-10 and they're rolling 6-5. I'm really proud of our guys. I wish it had paid off because they're a hurting group right now."