Lions rally past Jackrabbits in OT to win Goldfish Classic

Lonoke's Tyler Spencer defends against England's Brayden Brazeal during the first half of the championship game of the Goldfish Classic. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — Lonoke held a five-point lead late in the fourth quarter but couldn’t stop England’s B.J. Thompson as the Lions rallied to beat the Jackrabbits 67-62 in overtime in the finals of the Goldfish Classic on Thursday at the Gina Cox Center. 

The Jackrabbits led 55-50 following a three-pointer by Tony Jackson with 2:12 left in the game. That followed a putback by Kylan Branscomb. 

England scored five in a row. Corey Hunter scored on a putback and Thompson hit three in a row to tie game at 55-55 with 57.9 seconds left.

Lonoke reclaimed the lead when Branscomb scored over Thompson with 42 second left. However, Branscomb fouled out with 35.1 seconds left, sending Thompson to the free throw line, where he made two shots to tie the game at 57-57.

Lonoke had a chance to win it late but could not get off a good shot.

The two teams traded leads in overtime with Lonoke leading 62-60 following a free throw by Tyriqe Jackson with 45.2 seconds left.

England’s Brayden Brazeal hit two free throws with 34.7 seconds left to tie the game at 62-62. A Lonoke turnover led to two free throws by Thompson with 10.5 seconds left to give the Lions a 64-62 lead. 

Hunter then stole the inbounds pass and converted a three-point play with 8.4 seconds left to set the final score at 67-62.

Thompson led England with 22 points. Hunter had 21. Brazeal finished with 13.

Jackson led Lonoke with 15 points. Branscomb had 14. Jackson scored 12. Haven Hunter had 11. Isaac Toney scored six. Tyler Spencer had four.

The Jackrabbits beat Hazen 76-38 in the first round of the tournament.

Hunter led Lonoke with 16 points. Branscomb had 10. Jackson and TaMarrea Moore had seven points each. Scoring six each were Tony Bryant, Jayden Johnson and Nick Tate. Tyler Washington, Toney and Spencer had four points each. Braidon Bryant had three.

Lonoke advanced to the finals with a 66-62 win over Stuttgart.

Branscomb led Lonoke with 18 points. Toney and Jackson scored 15 points apiece. Hunter had seven. Braidon Bryant had six. Scoring two each were Moore and Spencer.