Really physical and well played basketball game in Columbia tonight by the defending 4th and 5th region champs. Adair missed a shot at the buzzer to send it to overtime. 

This is iron sharpening iron.  I will take the Indians pedigree to repeat in a very tough 5th region. 

It was a very good game, and a good late season test for both teams.  Central never trailed, and led by as many as nine, but they were rarely comfortable, if ever.  Central hit eight threes in the contest, and in general seemed to shoot much better than the night before.  Their defense remains their strength, as only four opponents have scored above 56 in regulation this year against the Dragons, and only Sikeston, Missouri topped 60.   I think Central benefited from a poor shooting night from outside for Adair County.  They went just 4/20 from deep, almost half the amount they usually make and same for the percentage. 

Some big moments in the game that I remember (probably because they were negative):

* Leading by 8 and with possession of the ball, Ant McAfee picked up a technical foul when he threw Connor Loy to the ground.  This was in retaliation for some physical aspect that took place on Central's prior possession, but still, you have to remain composed.  It was bad enough to do it at all, but it cost possession out of a dead ball.  Adair hit two free throws, then a three pointer on the ensuing possession to cut it to three. 

* Adair trailed 55-50 with possession - Loy scored on a layup that looked like it desperately didn't want to go in and then fell.  Against the press, Central tried a cross court pass that was picked off, and then Dawson Gilbert knocked down a three in transition to tie the game. 

I did find it strange that prior to that, and with frankly a good amount of time remaining, Adair opted to begin fouling, sending Hulbert to the line on two straight trips with around 2:30-3:00 remaining.  He missed two free throws the first time, then hit two the second.  The lead was three at first and then the two free throws extended it to five.  It didn't ultimately hurt Adair as this immediately preceded the previously mentioned 55-50 possession, but it was odd to me. 

Central got the go ahead basket when Hulbert was triple teamed on the baseline and he found a driving KJ Johnson who laid it in to make it 57-55 Central.  Adair split a pair of free throws, then Central split a pair to make it 58-56.  Gilbert nearly lost possession on the next play, leading to an Adair timeout.  With 6 seconds left, the ball came into Loy, who took McCombs into the lane, and then attempted a step back jumper for the tie.  It hit back iron then front iron, and came off.