After scoring their lowest point total of the year, Opp looked to end a two game slide as they took on area foe Hillcrest in day two of the Andalusia Invitational Tournament.

The first quarter was a dead heat.  Hillcrest led by as many as six during the first period until Opp came back to tie the contest after one at 12-12.

Ty’Keenan White’s 3-pointer to open the second quarter put the Bobcats out in front for the first time.  White was the star of the quarter driving to the basket time after time racking up nine points in the second.

Opp led by seven with time winding down in the half Orlando Lacey let a buzzer beater shot go which found nothing but the bottom of the net for a big three that gave the Bobcats a ten point lead at halftime 30-20.

Lacey’s three to end the half proved to be huge.  Hillcrest came out and went on a 7-0 run in the first minute of the third quarter cutting the Opp lead to just three at 30-27.

The Bobcats recovered and were able to put 17 points on the board matching the Jaguar’s total for the period.

After three, Opp’s lead remained at 10 points, 37-27.

Opp survived another Hillcrest run in the fourth quarter as the Jaguars cut the Bobcats led to just three with six minutes remaining.  The Bobcats weathered the storm and managed to stay out in front.  Both Bobcat big men Ty’Keenan White and Devontae Williams provided the offense in the final quarter putting up nine and seven points respectively.

A big three by Orlando Lacey with time winding down and Opp leading by just three put the game on ice.

Hillcrest was forced to foul down the stretch putting Opp at the line where the Bobcats scored their last five points of the game on free throws.

The Bobcats ended up with the win 72-63 for their first varsity boys basketball win over Hillcrest in 20 years.

Ty’Keenan White led the Bobcats with 24 points.

Devontae Williams poured in 19 points and Orlando Lacey had 15 points.

“That was a big win and I hope that it will build confidence,” Opp head coach Willie Edwards said. “We are playing really good basketball, but we still need to improve on some things.”

Opp will play Luverne at 5:30 in the final day of the tournament.