Pawnee Clinches 3rd Title with OT Win Over Talihina

Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Pawnee Black Bears have done it again—earning a third-consecutive Class 2A state championship after a 56-55 overtime victory over Talihina.

In a rematch of last year’s state championship thriller, Pawnee and Talihina met again in the finals, and saw overtime again.

Talihina was behind 30-21 at halftime, but erased that deficit as the second half went along.

Jordan EagleRoad hit a three-pointer that pulled the Golden Tigers to within two points of the Black Bears with four minutes left on the clock.

Pawnee and Talihina went shot-for-shot, exchanging the lead until the final seconds. The Black Bears’ Taggart Lockhart hit a shot from three-point range, giving his team a 50-48 lead. Pawnee’s Ralston Moore responded with a jumper, tying the game up at 50.

Pawnee’s Desmond McCosar missed a crucial jump shot that could have won the game, but Lockhart grabbed the rebound. The fiery red head, wearing a look of determination, threw up a desperate three at the buzzer, but the shot didn’t land and four more minutes were added to the clock.

Overtime was simply a continuation of the shot-for-shot play in the first 32 minutes.

The final four minutes came down to critical free throws and sinking jump shots.

Pawnee found itself at the charity line four times during overtime and made three of four shots. With 1:30 left on the clock, Pawnee had inched its way ahead, 55-52.

Lockhart drained a three to tie it back up with one minute left in the extra period.

The Black Bears responded with a drive to the basket, where they drew a foul. Moore hit one of his two free throws, giving them the lead once again.

EagleRoad took Talihina’s last opportunity, shooting just inside the arc, but the ball bounced off the rim as the final seconds ticked away.