UPPER LAKE — Middletown ran its streak of consecutive overtime games to three with a come-from-behind 67-64 varsity boys” basketball victory over Upper Lake on Friday night in Upper Lake, where the host Cougars struggled from the free-throw line.
It was the third time in as many North Central League I interock games that Middletown has been pushed into overtime, but the Mustangs” first win. They dropped a 59-56 contest in double-overtime to Clear Lake on Tuesday in Middletown and a 61-59 overtime decision to Cloverdale on Dec. 29, also in Middletown.
“If you win a close game it”s because of free throws and if you lose a close game it”s because of free throws,” Upper Lake coach Forrest Stogner lamented about his team”s 9-for-20 night at the line.
Middletown (8-8) made 13 of 19 of its foul shots.
“The boys played good tonight, but we needed a win,” Stogner said of Upper Lake”s sixth straight loss, one that dropped the team to 4-10 on the season.
“Their team was hungry and they played well,” Middletown coach Mike Mullin said of the Cougars. “We play three straight overtime games and get our only win on the road, so go figure.”
Tyler Hunt”s 26-point, 23-rebound effort powered the Mustangs.
“He had a huge game,” Mullin said of the junior forward, who also went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.
Max Curtis played the entire fourth quarter and overtime period with four fouls and led the Cougars with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jayce Meri also had a double-double for Upper Lake with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
“We held for a last shot and didn”t get it,” Stogner said.
Jake Strickler scored 13 points and Sam Fiddler had 11 for the Mustangs, who were without starting center Andrew Djernes (out with an injury). In fact, Middletown”s roster was down to six varsity players before Mullin called up a JV player, Johnny Harmyk, to give his squad a little more depth against the Cougars, who push the ball up and down the court.
“And he did pretty well,” Mullin said.
All seven Middletown players scored.
Corey Strantz pulled down eight defensive rebounds for the Mustangs, according to Mullin.
“That was huge for us,” Mullin said.
