Owls Outlast No. 21 Raritan Valley in Overtime Thriller
| Final | 1 | 2 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#21 (DII) Raritan Valley Community College (11-5) | 43 | 37 | 7 | 87 |
|
Prince George's Community College (14-4) | 45 | 35 | 9 | 89 |
Prince George's Community College men's basketball responded in a big way on Sunday, bouncing back from a pivotal Region 20 Division II loss to Howard Community College on Friday with an overtime win against No. 21 ranked Raritan Valley Community College.
Back in Largo, the Owls found themselves in a tightly contested battle from the opening tip. Prince George's carried a slim 45-43 advantage into halftime, setting the stage for an intense second half.
Raritan Valley erased a 14-point second-half deficit with just under 1 minutes remaining, storming all the way back to tie the game at 80 on a layup in the final minute of regulation. Missed opportunities on both sides, including a missed and-one free throw, a turnover, and a desperation heave that narrowly missed at the buzzer by the Lions, along with an Owls turnover and missed shot in the final seconds, sent the game to overtime.
Prince George's struck first in the extra period, scoring six straight points to seize momentum. Raritan Valley answered and climbed back to within one, but clutch execution down the stretch made the difference. Brazil Hutchinson knocked down a pair of clutch mid-range jumpers late, and the Lions final push came up short as the Owls pulled away to secure an 89-87 overtime victory.
Willie Rivera Jr. continued an already hot stretch of play, recording his second 30-point game of the week. He finished with 30 points, five assists, and four rebounds to lead all scorers. Kadon Fossett added 11 points, seven assists, and four rebounds in a balanced effort. Depth was also a key factor, as all 11 Owls who checked into the game scored at least two points.
Despite the win, Prince George's nearly let the game slip away at the free-throw line. The Owls shot just 15-of-28 (53.6%) from the stripe, including multiple misses late that Kept Raritan Valley within striking distance.
The victory moves Prince George's to 14-4 on the season as the Owls continue an action-packed January. Up next is a Region 20 divisional matchup at home against Anne Arundel Community College on Wednesday, January 14th at 7 PM.
