Tahlequah Advances to Port City Classic Championship

Originally Published: Jan 22, 2010 11:11 PM CDT

Curt Hill
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

CATOOSA, Oklahoma -- Tahlequah overcame a six-point fourth quarter deficit and poor free throw shooting to knock off Bartlesville 58-55 in the second round of the Port City Classic on Friday.

Adam Stovall scored 22 points for the Tigers, including nine in the fourth quarter. Jon Griggs and Rusten Peace added 12 and 9 respectively. Blake Hicks led the way for the Bruins with 17 and Cory Anderson finished with 15.

After scoring two points in the first quarter, Bartlesville exploded in the second quarter with the help of Hicks and Mitch Tate. The junior duo combined for 12 of the Bruins 24 points in the period. The Tigers were able to keep pace with Bartlesville despite several turnovers, and went into the half down 26-24.

Tahlequah came out of the break and took a one-point lead on foul shots, but the Bruins controlled the rest of the quarter and extended their lead to six points.

Tahlequah would have the final say, though, with a 21-point fourth quarter. The Tigers eventually took over and extended the lead to five points with under two minutes to go. Bartlesville had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer after the Tigers missed several free throws, but Cory Anderson’s half court heave was off the mark.

With the win, the Tigers move onto the championship where they will face Claremore at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Bartlesville will take on Harrah at 5:30 in the 3rd place game.