Free throws help Beechcroft survive upset bid by DeSales

Visiting Beechcroft sank 6 of 6 free throws in the final minute to stave off an upset bid and defeat DeSales 73-67 in a nonleague boys basketball game Tuesday night.

Elijah Bishop had 18 points and Datrey Long 17 for the Cougars (211), who are ranked No. 2 in the state in Division II. Beechcroft saw a 16-point lead dwindle to one late in the contest.

Kobe Righter paced DeSales (11-11) with 23 points.

Caleb Stimmel scored a careerhigh 19 points and host Hilliard Davidson ( 13- 9) toppled Watterson ( 12- 9) in a nonleague contest. Zach Sawyer led Watterson with 19 points.

Garrett Tipton scored 20 points and host Hartley ( 17- 5) beat Johnstown ( 15- 7) in nonleague play. The Hawks took command with a 21- 5 second quarter.

Sean Marks scored 29 points and host Olentangy ( 13- 9) pulled away to beat Marysville ( 8- 14) in a nonleague game. Marks went 10 of 15 from the fi eld, including four three- pointers. Jarred Kinnaird contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Braves. Marshall Francisco and Bodie Eberhart scored 19 points apiece for Marysville.

Caleb Collins scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, rallying host Fairfield Christian ( 8- 14, 5- 9) to a Mid- State League Cardinal Division win over Rosecrans ( 9- 13, 6- 8). After making a steal, Asa Naayers sank two free throws with seven seconds remaining to account for the winning margin. The Knights trailed by seven points with three minutes remaining and fought out of an early 21- 6 hole.

Girls

Four players scored between 10 and 12 points as visiting Olentangy Liberty ( 12- 11) hit nine three-pointers and knocked off 11th-seeded Westerville Central ( 15- 8) in a first- round Division I tournament game. Gina Santangelo and Emma Humenay hit three threes apiece for the Patriots, who went 7 of 7 at the free throw line down the stretch. Central used a 12-0 run to pull even early in the fourth quarter, but was never able to lead.

Derricka Bramwell totaled 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists as ninth- seeded Ready ( 13- 9) upended 11thseeded Grandview ( 15- 8) in a Division III tournament game. Jayla Coplan topped Grandview with 16 points.

Alyssa Evans scored 28, surpassing the career program record, and host Amanda- Clearcreek ( 18- 5) coasted to a Division III tournament victory over East Knox ( 2- 17).