On Friday night, the South Portland boys’ basketball team came extremely close to knocking off an unbeaten team this season for the second time this season. Back on Jan. 12, the Red Riots handed Thornton Academy their first loss of the year. On Friday night, they tried to do the same thing to Cheverus, but wound up on the short end of a 63-61 final score.

While the final score didn’t end up in South Portland’s favor, the Riots made the Stags work for the win, forcing Cheverus to erase a fourth quarter deficit and win the game in overtime.

The Stags went on a 16-7 run in the fourth quarter to catch South Portland and force overtime. Then, in the extra frame, the Stags outscored the Riots 8-6 to secure the win.

South Portland outplayed Cheverus in the first half and took a 29-22 lead into the break. The Riots actually added a couple of points to their lead in a wild third quarter. South Portland scored 19 points in the third, thanks in large part to five three-pointers. Cheverus scored 17 of their own in the third.

Entering the fourth, South Portland led 48-39. The Stags worked quickly and cut the lead with a 9-2 run. At the end of regulation the score was all knotted up at 55.

The Stags did just enough in the overtime frame to walk away with a win and with their unbeaten record intact.

The Red Riots are now 11-3 on the year and find themselves in fourth in the latest Heal Point Standings. They were scheduled to play Portland Tuesday night.

Copy the Story Link