Max Groom scored a team high 27 points with three of them coming from the free throw line with just four seconds to play in the game. Those free throws would give the Jacks a 79-76 win over Lake Region State College.
In a game that never saw much separation with a total of 19 lead changes and 11 ties both teams felt each other out in the early going. DCB got out to a 9-6 lead. Lake Region responded with an 8-0 run to take a 14-9 lead. The 8-0 run would be the Royals longest of the game. After the run the Jacks, offense started to click Connor Trahan knocked down four 3-pointers in the first half to lead the Jacks. DCB held a three-point lead as Lake Region took the final possession of the first half Ja'vion Byers got a shot to go at the horn to cut the DCB lead to 38-37 at the half. Byers who was averaging nearly 20 points a game entering the contest was held to just 7 points in the game by a great defensive effort from the Jacks.
The second half saw much of the same action with both teams jockeying for position. DCB was able to take the largest lead of the game at 58-52 but the Royals were able to respond and come right back. As time ticked away neither team could get more than a four-point lead. With the game tied at 74 all Ja'vion Byers got a lay-up to go to put Lake Region up 76-74 with 1:12 to play in the game. DCB called a timeout to draw up a play, however out of the timeout the Jacks turned it over. On the ensuing Royals possession Loukas Triantis was able to poke the ball away and get a pass out ahead to Connor Trahan to score a game tying lay-up. The Jacks forced another Lake Region turnover on the next possession. DCB got the ball across halfcourt and called a timeout with 19.6 seconds remaining in the game. Out of the timeout the Jacks got off a good look, but it rolled off the rim. There was a loose ball foul called on Lake Region followed by a technical foul giving the Jacks four free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining. Max Groom was at the line for all four shots and knocked down the first three. After the third free throw LRSC called a timeout to try and ice Groom. Out of the timeout Groom missed the free throw. The Royals grabbed the rebound and called a timeout to draw up a game tying play. LRSC got a look but the last second shot would miss, and the Jacks held on to win 79-76.
Here is what Coach Sorby had to say after the win "gritty win by this group. First road test in conference play, to go along with our 3rd game in the last 4 days is tough. Then add in a well-coached opponent always makes for a tough task, but this group loves the challenge. They prefer to have the odds stacked against them. They love these "prove it" opportunities. This game was back-and-forth all night, 19 lead changes and 11 ties. I thought every time we needed a score, someone stepped up. Every time we needed a stop, someone stepped up. That's what we need to win games in the Mon-Dak, and it's one of the many reasons why I enjoy coaching this group so much."
The Jacks were led in scoring by Max Groom with 27 points off the bench and 19 of them coming in the second half. Connor Trahan finished with 16 points, Jacob Smith added in 15, and Brendan Redhead dropped in 13. Free throws were not only huge late for Jacks but in the game DCB shot 28/38(74%) from the charity stripe in the game. Lake Region was led by Mayson Brown who scored a game high 29 points.
With the win the Jacks move to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the Mon-Dak. DCB is back in action Friday in "The Woodshed for a critical conference and regional showdown with United Tribes Technical College. Game time is set for 7:30p.m.