Charleston, WV- Concord came to Charleston as the hottest team in the WVIAC, winning 9 of their last 11 games. Today the Mountain Lions will had Thursday's tallest order as they took on the WVIAC's best in Pitt-Johnstown. The upset run came up just short as Pitt-Johnstown pulled away at the end of the game and won 72-68.
Dannie Parker started the game quickly for the Mountain Lions with a lay-up. But a quick three pointer by the Mountain Cats gave them the early lead at 3-2. WVIAC Player of the year Chris Gilliam would hit one of two free throws to push the score to 4-2.
After a 6-0 run by the Mountain Cats, Cordale Boyd would cut the score to 6-4 with a pair of free throws. Dannie Parker would quickly pick up a foul at the 17 minute mark. Concord would need him to stay in the game as much as possible against Pitt-Johnstown. Lansdowne would hit a huge three pointer to once again give Concord the lead at 7-6.
Derrick Calloway picks up his second foul at the 14:49 mark. But Chris Gilliam would miss both free throws, however Anthony Lansdowne would pick up his second foul as Sharpe would hit both foul shots giving the Mountain Cats a 10-7 lead.
Lay-ups by Jason Duncan and Dannie Parker gave the Mountain Lions an 11-10 lead. After a scoreless couple of possessions for both squads Danny Branch would hit a three and give the Mountain Cats the lead. Dannie Parker would hit a lay-up to tie the game on the next possession. The score was 13-13 at the 11:30 mark in the first half.
The game would start to pick up as Pitt-Johnstown would hit right back from 10 feet. Gilliam would add three more after an and one. Pitt-Johnstown has their biggest lead at 18-13. Matt Parker would hit a 3-pointer and Chance Smith would make a lay-up to tie the game at 18.
Dannie Parker would add two more at the 7:30 mark to give Concord the lead once again at 20-18. However, Dannie Parker would pick up his second foul of the half and have to sit on the bench. The Mountain Cats would hit both free throws tying the game.
Pitt-Johnstown looked to take control with Parker on the bench. Sharpe would throw a dunk down giving the lead back to the Cats 22-20. Cordale Boyd would answer with a huge three pointer. Back and forth the game goes as Gilliam hits two free throws and the lead swings again.
Matt Parker would pick up the slack nailing a two. Concord is back on top 25-24. Boyd tied the Mountain Lions biggest lead with a lay-up. Rustin Jesses hits a three-pointer giving the Mountain Lions a 30-24 lead over the league best team.
Gilliam would stop the bleeding and the Cats with a two. But Jesse would strike again from deep. Concord had the biggest lead of the day up 7. But Pitt's Sharpe would hit a 3-pointer in response. The game would dwindle under a minute. Gilliam would hits again with an and one cutting the Mountain Lions lead to 33-32 with only 44 seconds left.
Rafee Smith hit a three with only 5 seconds left. The Mountain Lions have upset on their mind in Charleston as they lead at the half, 36-32.
Concord would get the ball to start the second half but couldn't capitalize. Then Davis would hit a three to cut into the lead. After a traded pair of buckets Concord led 38-37. Pitt-Johnstown took a 2 point lead at the 18 minute mark. But Lansdowne would tie the game at 40.
The Mountain Cats would run a perfect fast break to go up 2. Derrick Calloway would head to the line to try and tie the game. Calloway would make one of two as the Mountain Cats led 42-41.
The momentum quickly passed to Mountain Cats to start the second half. But a 17 footer by Jason Duncan gave the Mountain Lions a slight edge at 43-42 at the 15 minute mark.
Gilliam would respond with a lay-up, followed by a deuce by Lansdowne. The lead switched back and forth as the Mountain Cats would take a 2 point lead at 47-45. The huge game by Duncan would continue with a three pointer followed by a Smith 3. Concord led at the 12 minute mark 51-49.
Tullis would tie the game at 51 on their next possession. Tullis would hit again to swing the lead once again. Dannie Parker would finally get involved in the second half tying the game at 53. Gilliam would have a chance to give the Cat the lead at the line, which he did. Pitt-Johnstown leads 54-53.
Sharpe would extend the Mountain Cats lead to 55-53 at the 9:13 mark. Dannie Parker wouldn't let the Mountain Lions down as an and one would cut the lead 57-56. Tullis would lay in a bucket to push the lead back to 3.
After a flurry of turnovers Pitt continued to lead 59-56 with only 6:36 left in the game. The Mountain Cats would tie their biggest lead at 5. Dannie Parker continued to fight with a lay-up.
This game has proved the most exciting game in the tournament as the WVIAC's best led Concord 61-58 with only 4:40 left in the game. Dannie Parker strikes again cutting the lead to only one point with 4 minutes to play.
The Mountains Cats looked to extend the lead but an offensive goaltending gave the ball back to Concord. But a turnover turned into point for the Mountain Cats. Cordale Boyd would head to the line at 2:58 and he cut the lead to 63-61.
A long range three would send a dagger Concord's way. Tullis would give the Mountain Cats their largest lead of the game at 68-61 with only 2:10 left. Dannie Parker would hit a free throw to cut the score to 68-62.
Another 2 by Pitt looked to nail in the coffin on Concord. Dannie Parker would hit an and one with a minute to go to cut the lead to 70-65. Concord would be forced to foul sending Davis to the line, where he would miss the front end of 1 and 1. Rafee Smith would hit a three pointer with only 9.6 second left on the clock cutting into the lead 70-68.
Tullis would hit a big free throw to push the lead to three with only 8 seconds left. Tullis would send the next free throw up nailing it. The Mountain Cats led 72-68 with only 8 seconds left. A Matt Parker three would miss the mark as the upset attempt fell just short for the Mountain Lions. The final from Charleston, Pitt-Johnstown 72- Concord-68.
