Wright City holds off Luther

YUKON — Once again, the late fourth quarter clock was Wright City’s ally.

But unlike its previous Class 2A boys playoff games, the clock did not spring forward so easily.

The class’ top-ranked team was pushed and tested for the first time this season, but Wright City pulled away late to defeat Luther 48-41 in Friday night’s semifinal.

Wright City likes to take quick, big leads in the first half before running the clock out in the second half, something it is able to do with all five of its starters strong and capable ballhandlers.

Yet Luther stayed within one or two possessions for most of the second half, forcing Wright City to run its offense in the closing minutes. The few times Wright City did pull the ball back to use clock, Luther patiently sat back until it was able to pickpocket one of the midcourt passes or bait a Wright City player into a contested shot within the lane.

Ultimately, Wright City never trailed. And the offense that gave it an early lead was the same that closed out the final possessions with winning shots.

Luther overcame a horrendous first quarter that saw Wright City take an 18-4 lead. But Luther closed the second quarter on a 13-3 run to get within six points at halftime.

Luther’s Tyler Becker layup with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter cut Wright City’s lead to three. But that was as close as Luther could get in the final quarter, for Robert Briley responded next Wright City possession with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.