The Lynn Tech boys basketball team gave an early Christmas present to the Tiger faithful on Monday night, coming out on top against Saugus 62-61.
In the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 42. Tech and Saugus were a little tight to open the period, but the Sachems scored the first basket on a straight away three from senior Josh Osawe. The Tigers’ Giovani Jean split a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession, and Osawe responded for Saugus, taking a handoff after passing the ball in bounds and converting an open layup which made the score 47-43 Saugus.
Jean answered for Tech, converting a layup in traffic and drawing the foul. Jean missed the free throw which cut the Sachems lead to two (47-45). Saugus was up 49-46 with four minutes remaining when Jean connected on a three and tied the game 49-49. Tech and Saugus traded baskets, and the score was 53-52 Saugus with 30 seconds remaining.
The Tigers Jayden Welch converted a contested layup and was fouled off a beautiful pass from Jean. Welch missed the free throw, but put Tech up 54-53 with 15 seconds left. The Sachems then missed from three, but Osawe grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled. He split the pair of free throws and tied the game 54-54 with 3.7 seconds left.
In overtime, the Tigers’ Andy Batista shined. Batista scored right off the jump ball, as he drove right for a layup to put Tech up 56-54. Saugus scored the next five points and held a 59-56 lead with less than two minutes left. Tech dug deep, however, as Cesar Reyes hit a pull up jumper to cut the lead to one, 59-58. Tech and Saugus traded baskets and the score was 61-60 Saugus with 40 seconds left.
Tech turned over the ball with 20 seconds remaining, but again, did not keep its head down. Later on, Batista went to the line and made both free throws to put Tech up 62-61 with 13 seconds left. The Sachems had one last shot, but missed a corner three and the Tigers corralled the rebound to put the game away.
Tech head coach Corey Bingham was ecstatic after the win.
“This was a great game that really could have went either way,” Bingham said. “I am just glad it went our way and I am so proud of this group. We have a young team and to be able to pull out a win in such a tight game that had many swings is going to give this group even more confidence. Getting this kind of experience early in the season and handling it so well is a great sign.”
Bingham was also happy his team scored the final two points of the game from the free throw line.
“We missed some big free throws down the stretch, but to have Andy [Batista] come up to the line and make both in that spot was great to see,” Bingham said.”
Leading the way for Tech was Batista, as he finished the game with a team high 16 points. Jean (14 points, eight assists and six rebounds) and Welch (13 points and 11 rebounds) also had big-time performances for the Tigers. Tech improved its record to 3-1 and next play Lynn Classical at the Christmas tournament on December 27.
Jerry DiStefano can also be reached at [email protected]
