The McDermitt High School boys basketball team finished its regular season schedule, with a thriller against Eureka on Friday, Feb. 13, in McDermitt.
With a victory over the Vandals, the Bulldogs had an opportunity to claim the top seed in the Division IV East. In a match-up that saw a number of momentum swings, with Eureka holding on for a 62-61 victory and the season sweep over McDermitt.
The Vandals started off quickly, with a 22-13 run in the first quarter, only to see the Bulldogs fire back. McDermitt erased a nine-point deficit, with one of its best quarters of the season. The Bulldogs went on a 25-6 spurt before the halftime break to lead 38-28.
Eureka nearly made up the deficit in the third quarter, holding McDermitt to seven points. The Vandals used a 15-7 run to close the gap to 45-43. The Vandals continued the comeback in the final eight minutes, outscoring the Bulldogs 19-16 to squeeze out the one-point victory.
McDermitt (7-3 Division IV East, 14-9 overall) shot 50 percent from the field (25-of-50) but was just 1-of-11 from the 3-point line and Sonny Crutcher was the only player to hit a shot from long distance. In addition, the Bulldogs were 9-of-12 from the foul line.
Crutcher had a double-double on the night with 20 points and 10 rebounds, to go with three steals and two assists.
Alex Rincon joined him in double figures with 12 points and five rebounds. Ellison Tom and TJ Smith each had nine points and Saul Lopez added eight points.
McDermitt began play in the Division IV Regional Championship in Spring Creek on Thursday. The Bulldogs met up with Mineral County. Results were not available at press time.
If McDermitt won, it would play the winner of Whittell and Owyhee today at 4:40 p.m. at Spring Creek High School.
The championship game is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.
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