NEW BLOOMFIELD - Senior guard Jalen Martin hit two free throws with 5.9 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Wildcats to the dramatic win over the Bulldogs in Friday night's Show-Me Conference rivalry clash.
New Bloomfield (4-3) overcame a 44-41 deficit to start the fourth quarter, outscoring South Callaway 19-16 over the last 8 minutes of regulation to force overtime. Jalen Martin made one-of-two free throws with :05.4 remaining to tie the game at 60-all and send it to the extra period.
"This was a very hard-fought game between both teams that each played their tails off," New Bloomfield head coach Tim Gilmore said. "It was a fun atmosphere at homecoming for this rivalry game."
Jalen Martin delivered 26 points to direct three players in double figures for the Wildcats, who were down 16-9 after one quarter and trailed 28-24 at halftime. Sophomore forward Tanner Payne supplied 15 points and senior forward Clayton Martin recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
"I have to hand it to our boys because we got down early and could have folded, but they fought their way back into the game to take the lead finally in the fourth quarter," Gilmore said. "We talked a ton about defensive effort after the Fatima game (a 69-50 SMC loss last Tuesday), and the kids gave us that tonight.
"It was a total team effort to win, and it was nice to see everyone step up in a big game."
Senior guard Treysen Gray countered with a game-high 33 points for South Callaway (0-6), which was playing its SMC opener. Senior guard Dylan Paschang added 13 points.
New Bloomfield continues its homestand with an SMC contest against Chamois at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
South Callaway hosts Tuscumbia in an SMC matchup at 6 p.m. Monday.