Buzzer-Beater Sends Northeast Academy to Semis

The Vikings overcame a fourth quarter deficit to advance out of the quarterfinals.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 6:10 pm

By: News On 6

Buzzer-Beater Sends Northeast Academy to Semis

Originally Published: Mar 10, 2011 3:49 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Jalen Pugh buzzer-beating layup gave the Northeast Academy Vikings the 66-64 win over Mount St. Mary’s Thursday to advance to the Class 3A semifinals.

Trailing 64-61 late in the fourth, the Rockets’ Justin Wagner knocked down a three-pointer from the corner to tie the game with just 15 seconds left to play.

On the inbound pass, the Vikings broke the full-court pressure, leaving Pugh open under the basket for the easy score as time expired.

To get to that point, Northeast Academy erased a five-point deficit early in the quarter.

Turnovers plagued the Rockets early in the game’s closing eight minutes and proved to be the key in the Northeast Academy comeback attempt.

Leading 61-56 halfway through the fourth quarter, the Rockets came up empty on five consecutive possessions, leading to eight unanswered points - including four from senior Korihan Jackson - for Northeast Academy.

Jackson led the effort for the Vikings, scoring a game-high 24, while junior Caleb Crayton added 17 and two big blocks.

Jeremy Wagner set the pace for Mount St. Mary, scoring 12, with senior Bryce Davis contributing 11 in the loss.

Northeast Academy will now take on the winner of Okema and Victory Christian at 6:30 p.m. Friday.