POINT ARENA >> Francisco Gregorio sank two free throw with five seconds remaining to snap a 60-all tie and lift the Upper Lake Cougars to a 62-60 victory over Anderson Valley in the third-place game of the Point Arena Tournament on Saturday in Point Arena.
The Panthers led by as many a 11 points in the fourth quarter before Upper Lake (6-3) rallied to take the lead with two minutes remaining. The Cougars pushed their advantage to five before Anderson Valley tied it with back-to-back baskets, the latter one a 3-pointer, with 12 seconds to go.
Upper Lake worked the ball down the floor in the final seconds and Gregorio was fouled while shooting the ball. He finished with eight points.
“(Ray) Gutierrez hit two big 3-pointers for us in the fourth quarter,” Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher said.
Isaac Nevarez led the Cougars with 20 points and was named to the All-Tournament team. Isiah Garcia added 17 points and Gutierrez finished with 10.
Upper Lake is off until Jan. 5 when it travels to Esparto for a non-league game. The Cougars hit the road again Jan. 6 to open their North Central League II schedule at Tomales.
