MORGANTOWN, W.Va — Logan Lawrentz hit four free throws in the final minute to ice the game for Parkersburg South as the Patriots stayed unbeaten on the season, upending Morgantown 55-49 on Friday night.
South (8-0) withstood a furious second-half comeback from Morgantown in what was a game of runs. The Patriots held a 24-21 lead at the break and exploded out of the gates in the third quarter going on a 9-0 run to extend their lead into double-digits.
“We were up 11, they made a run to cut it one with about six minutes left and then our kids made huge defensive stops, and that really was the game,” Parkersburg South coach Mike Fallon said.
The Mohigans countered with a run of their own to briefly hold a 41-40 lead with 7:35 left in the game after Steven Solomon made a driving lay-up – that was their first lead since early in the second quarter.
Parkersburg South then went on a 10-0 run to retake control of the game. The Mohigans, though, had a shot to tie the game in the final minute, but came up short.
“We had a shot to tie and we just missed it,” Morgantown coach Tom Yester said. “The biggest difference in the game was their patience on offense compared to our impatience.”
It was Lawrentz who rebounded that potential game-tying shot as he went to the foul line to seal the game.
“Logan’s been great for us all year,” Fallon said. “He’s one of those kids who’s starting to develop and get better and better every game.”
Lawrentz ended up with a game-high 18 points, going 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Cody Monroe chipped in 11 points as well for the Patriots. Parkersburg South will test its perfect record at home on Tuesday of next week against Point Pleasant.
Morgantown, meanwhile, was led by senior Scottie Core who had 12 points. The Mohigans drop to 2-4 as they travel next to play at Wheeling Park on Monday.