Behind 16 points from Jacob Tonascia, the San Benito boys basketball team improved to 4-1 with an overtime 52-50 win over Patterson in Hollister on Tuesday.
It was a tough back-and-forth game between the two teams. At one point San Benito held an 11-point advantage at the beginning of the third quarter but allowed Patterson to take a one point lead four minutes later.
At times, San Benito struggled to find an open shot but the team finally found its stroke in the closing moments of the fourth quarter.
Trailing by three-points with only nine second left, San Benito put the ball into the hands of its top shooter Hyram Miskin, who buried a long 3-pointer as time expired.
“All I know coach was calling my name and it was the same situation I was in earlier so I was trying to get it off as fast as I could,” he said. “I hoped it would go in.”
It did, causing the gym to erupt in applause as the game was sent into overtime.
In the overtime session, Miskin, who finished with 14 points, and Tonascia took over the Balers offense, scoring 10 of San Benito’s 12 points in the final four minutes.
The Balers’ 12 overtime points were more than they scored in three of the games four quarters.
Michael Breen, who scored four points, sealed the win with seconds left hitting two free throws to give the Balers a four point lead.
“Those were big free throws from him,” head coach David Kaplansky said. “He did a really good job.”
With Brian Becerra fouling out in the closing minute of the fourth quarter, The Balers relied on junior Tony Diaz to run the offense in the extra session. Diaz’s play allowed the Balers to take control on both sides of the ball in the final four minutes.
“Tony did a great job when we needed him,” Kaplansky said. “He really stood out.”
But it was Miskin who allowed the Balers to pull in front after blowing their big lead. Miskin, who missed his first six shots, found his shooting stroke in the final 12 minutes. He ended the game with three 3-pointers, including the game tying shot at the end of regulation. He scored 11 of his 14 points in the final eight minutes of the game.
Robert Henderson finished with eight points for the Balers, including three blocks in the first half. Henderson’s defense took away the middle from Paterson early on, forcing the Tigers to take long shots. The Tigers struggled from long range throughout the night, missing all six 3-point shots during the night.
To make up for its long-range shot, Patterson took advantage of its opportunities from the line. The Tigers made 14 of its 19 opportunities from the free throw line. The Balers meanwhile hit only seven of its 16 chances.
The Balers will play in the 33rd annual Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament in Gilroy on Dec. 13.
