William Byrd’s depth and a big night by Alex Fitch was the difference as the Terriers pulled out a thriller in basketball Friday. The Terriers took an 88-81win in double overtime against Alleghany in Low Moor.
“It was a crazy game,” said Byrd coach Kevin Tuck. “We had four players foul out by the end of the game.”
Byrd’s top rebounder, Devon Kasey, fouled out with three minutes left in regulation. Kasey was ill but sucked it up and played 16 minutes, scoring 14 points with seven rebounds.
The Terriers appeared to have the game in hand in regulation, but poor foul shooting allowed the Mountaineers to come back. Byrd missed the front end of three one-and-one foul situations with Alleghany fouling in an attempt to catch up. They finally caught Byrd when Steven Olsen was called for a foul on a three point attempt in the final 10 seconds, as Chase Woodward missed the first and made the next two to tie the game at 67-67.
Olsen then fouled out in the first overtime. Byrd had a chance to win at the buzzer but Jaylen Wheeler’s floater rimmed out at the horn, forcing a second OT.
Grant Watson and Shawn Williams fouled out in the second overtime, but Alleghany went 0-for-eight on the line as Byrd pulled away. This time the Terriers made their free throws down the stretch and pulled out the win.
“Rebounding was the difference,” said Byrd coach Kevin Tuck. “Their guards are very good, but we had a big advantage on the boards.”
Byrd outrebounded the Mountaineers, 51-23, for the game. The Terriers had 34 defensive rebounds, and that was with center Kasey playing limited minutes. Fitch had 14 rebounds to lead Byrd, followed by Olsen with eight and Kasey and Terrell Smith with seven each.
Fitch had a season high 30 points to lead the offense. Alex was six for 17 on three point attempts, four-for-10 on twos and four-for-four from the line.
Smith was big off the bench with 11 points, and Wheeler also finished with 11.
“Jaylen carried us in the overtimes,” said Tuck.
With the win Byrd improved to 7-5 on the season. The Terriers were at Lord Botetourt on Wednesday, but results were too late for publication. On Friday Byrd is back home to host Rockbridge, and then the Terriers are off until next Wednesday when they play at Salem.