The Abilene High boys basketball team survived a 69-63 win over Odessa High Tuesday night in nondistrict action at OHS Fieldhouse.
The Eagles moved to 12-4 for the season while the Bronchos fell to 4-10.
Playing in a game that was close throughout, Abilene High was able to pull away in the final minutes of the game, making the crucial baskets and holding off Odessa High.
“We’ve had some good poise in the fourth quarter this year,” Abilene High head coach Justin Reese said. “I think we have some kids who have been in dog fights before. Coach (Jermil) Lewis does a great job with those guys. They always play well here at Odessa. We knew it was going to be a dog fight and it was. We feel fortunate to get out of here with a win. It was a great game.”
Odessa High was led by Jordan Bruner’s 27 points while Jtorian Deary-Johnson had 11 points.
Abilene High was led in scoring by Brooks Reese’s 15 points while Jatyran Smith had 12 and Eric Salazar had 11.
“I just thought we came out in the third quarter and let them jump on us a little early,” Odessa High head coach Jermil Lewis said. “We climbed back in it but we have to come out better with defensive pressure. We have to continue working on our defense and if we do that, I think we’ll be fine.”
The Bronchos opened with a 5-2 run.
However, a few baskets by the Eagles tied things up at 5.
The Eagles tied the game up at 10-10 with a 3-pointer by Brooks Reese with 2:35 left in the first quarter.
A layup by Bruner gave the Bronchos a 13-10 lead late in the quarter.
Odessa High’s lead was 15-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams traded baskets throughout the second quarter.
Abilene High’s Josh Melson made back to back free throws to tie the game up at 30 with 21 seconds left in the quarter and the game was tied at the half.
A 3-pointer by the Eagles gave them an early second half lead.
A transition basket by Demarco Upshaw soon followed and the visitors had a 35-30 advantage.
Salazar then scored a 3-pointer from the left side of the court and the Bronchos called a timeout with 6:23 left in the third quarter.
Salazar hit another 3-pointer soon after to help the Eagles remain in front.
Bruner responded with a layup to cut the deficit to 41-36 with 3:50 left.
Deary-Johnson scored a 3-pointer to make it 41-39 and Abilene High then called a timeout.
OHS tied it up on an inside shot soon after.
Both teams then traded baskets left and right.
Smith sunk three free throws after a technical foul by Odessa High and the Eagles led 52-49 going into the fourth quarter.
The Bronchos began the quarter with a 4-0 run to go back in front.
The two sides continued to trade the lead in the quarter as the game remained close.
Brooks Reese made an inside shot to make it 66-63 and a missed Odessa High 3-pointer with under a minute was rebounded by Abilene High with under a minute to go.
Brooks Reese was fouled with 19 seconds remaining and sent to the line and he made one of two shots.
He was sent back to the line soon after and was able to convert both shots for a six-point lead.
