HOPE MILLS — Scotland senior Willie Douglas hit the go-ahead shot in overtime to lift the Scots past Jack Britt Wednesday night in Hope Mills.

Douglas, who finished with only six points in the game, tallied the most important two of the contest when he slithered into the lane and drilled a short jumper with 18 seconds remaining to put Scotland on top, 41-40.

Moments before, Jack Britt’s Jaymond McAllister sank a pair of free throws to give the Buccaneers their first lead of the overtime period.

Sophomore Justin McRae notched a steal with 8.5 seconds on the ensuing Jack Britt possession, forcing the Buccaneers to foul on three straight inbounds passes because they had only four team fouls up to that point.

Sophomore Niem Ratliffe was then sent to the free-throw line for a one-and one with four seconds left, but missed the attempt. However, he managed to wiggle his way into traffic and came up with the offensive rebound, which forced Jack Britt to foul once more.

This time, Ratliffe converted both free throws to extend the Scots’ lead to three points. Jack Britt attempted one final desperation heave, but the ball was deflected off a Buccaneers player and sailed out of bounds, preserving the Scotland victory.

Ratliffe led all scorers with 16 points. Gionte Riggin paced the Buccaneers with 15 points but failed to score in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Scotland, which didn’t score a point in the first quarter and didn’t notch its first field goal until midway through the second quarter, still managed to stay in the game and only trailed 15-13 at halftime.

The Scots then took a 26-25 lead at the end of the third quarter and led by as many as five points in the fourth period before Jack Britt rallied in the final two minutes.

The Buccaneers tied the game with 1:20 remaining, and each team had a final possession to try to score the go-ahead basket. Douglas recorded a key block when Jack Britt had the ball to give Scotland possession with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Ratliffe fired up a contested jumper that bounced harmlessly off the glass as time expired, but he responded in the extra session when he hit a 3-pointer to give Scotland a 39-36 lead.

The Scots stopped a four-game losing streak with the win and improved to 2-5 overall. The loss dropped Jack Britt to 3-6.

Scotland returns to action today to play Marlboro County (S.C.) in Bennettsville.

Logan Martinez can be reached at 910-506-3170. Follow him on Twitter @L_Martinez13.

Scotland junior Donte Green scored four big points in the fourth quarter to help the Scots force overtime. They went on to win 43-40 in the extra period.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_DSC_9934-Copy-.jpgScotland junior Donte Green scored four big points in the fourth quarter to help the Scots force overtime. They went on to win 43-40 in the extra period. Logan Martinez | The Laurinburg Exchange

By Logan Martinez

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