Moberly Rallies for Victory Over Oak Grove

Kish Jacobs Jr. hit the game-winning free throw with ten seconds left as the Moberly Spartans scored the final seven points in a 57-56 win over the Oak Grove Panthers. The visitors went ahead 56-50 on a bucket by Markalip Riley with under a minute remaining, but Jacobs answered with a three-point play. An Oak Grove turnover gave the ball back to the Spartans and Cameron Doubrava provided the equalizer.

The Spartans got the ball back on a tie-up by Mason Bivins and Jacobs was fouled with ten seconds left. The sophomore guard made the second of his two free throws to give the Spartans just their third lead of the night. One final twist came when Oak Grove’s Phillip Nadeau was fouled with one second remaining. The Panthers’ top scorer missed the first free throw and Coach Brett Boyer used a timeout to freeze him ahead of the final shot.

The Spartans lost eight games by single-digits last season along with this year’s season opener. Boyer said it felt good to have one go their way

The Panthers built a lead as large as ten in the first half and led 31-22 at halftime. However, the Spartans outscored them 20-9 in the third quarter with Ethan Land and Doubrava scoring seven points each. Boyer explained the key to shifting the momentum in the second half.

Doubrava led four Spartans in double figures with 14 points. Land and Jacobs added eleven, while Ty Rucker chipped-in with ten. Boyer said scoring depth can be a strength for his team.

The Spartans hit five three-pointers in the game as they improve to 1-1 and prepare for the Centralia Tournament next week. Logan Hernandez, Riley and Nadeau all scored 14 points for the Panthers who fall to 2-1.

Moberly coach Brett Boyer