Triton hangs on for 53-50 win over Pentucket

(West Newbury MA) We all watched the last shot to see if this game would go into overtime.

When Conor O’Neil’s 3-point attempt bounced away after hitting the rim Triton had a 53-50 win over Pentucket on Wednesday afternoon/evening.

This was a close Cape Ann League game with eight lead changes in the first half and three ties in the final quarter.

The Vikings (4-2) rode Colin Brennan’s two last-minute 3’s in the third quarter to take its biggest lead of the day (41-33).

Pentucket (2-4) did not go away.  They started the final period with eight unanswered points on 3’s by Steven Johanson and Conor O’Neil plus a Nate McGrail layin.  Suddenly the game was tied (41-41) with just under six minutes left.  There for either team to win.

The Sachems were only down one (49-48) with 2:26 to go after sophomore Spencer Pacy’s layup.

The next two scores were by Triton and they were crucial to the outcome.  John McCarthy’s jump shot put the Vikings up by three (51-48).  Then came the killer score as Triton ran down the clock and Will Parsons made an off-balanced leaner in the lane as the shot-clock sounded.

A five-point lead with 1:13 left should be safe but not when you miss all four free throws in the last minute.

Fortunately for the winners from Byfield, Pentucket was no better at the line.  After Nate McGrail converted an offensive rebound the Sachems missed two free throws including the front end of a one-and-one.

However, because Triton also missed free throws Pentucket ended up with a shot to tie.  Conor O’Neil had two defenders (Liam Spillane and Chris Trotta) to shoot over but there was a window for the game-extender from the top of the key.

Will Parsons and Colin Brennan each had fourteen points for the winners.  Colin connected four times from long range.

Spencer Pacy (14), Nate McGrail (10), and Gus Flaherty (10) reached double figures for Pentucket.

The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night but the power went out at the Pentucket gym just before the game actually started.

Triton’s Liam Spillane had an impressive first half with points, assists, and steals.

Pentucket’s Spencer Pacy had the knack of getting to the basket and finishing.

Going into this one Pentucket had won five of the six previous games against Triton.

One of Pentucket’s top three scorers from last season (Jimmy Cleary) was inactive due to an ankle injury.  The Sachems could have used his outside shooting versus Triton.  Jimmy should be back playing next week.

Triton was 9-11 last season while Pentucket was 9-10.

Triton box from the game.

Pentucket box from the game.

Triton hosts Georgetown on Friday night while Pentucket hosts Manchester-Essex.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)