Cowboys Fight Off Savage In Overtime

The Culbertson Cowboys came through with a 51-49 overtime victory in Savage on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Culbertson trailed 37-36 entering the fourth quarter, but the Cowboys ran off seven straight points early in the quarter on a free throw by Shea Scott, a hoop by Mark Kirkaldie, a drive by Payton Perkins and a short jumper by Bridger Salvevold for a 4338 lead.

Down by a 45-39 margin, Savage tied the game with six consecutive points by Sayer Erickson. A basket off a rebound by Hunter Sanders put the Warriors ahead 47-45 with 44 seconds remaining.

The Cowgirls tied the game, 47-47, when Salvevold scored off a nice pass from Colin Avance with 22 seconds left. After Savage missed its attempt, a long shot by Salvevold went off the backboard and then in and out of the basket at the buzzer.

Culbertson struck first in overtime when Salvevold drove in for a basket with 2:20 on the clock.

A free throw by Maurice Bighorn increased the Cowboys’ lead to 50-47 with 2:01 left.

The Warriors kept the heat on when Zane Pilgeram scored with 1:12 remaining. After Payton Perkins took a charge to keep Culbertson ahead, Kirkaldie hit a free throw with a minute to play.

Savage then missed a free throw and another shot to potentially tie the game. The Warriors had a final chance but missed with three seconds left. Culbertson’s top scorers were Bighorn with 13, Salvevold with 12 and Avance with 10 points.

Also scoring were Perkins with six, Kirkaldie with five, Scott with three and Justice Bengochea with two points.

Sanders and Erickson led Savage with 19 points each.

The Cowboys jumped out to a 17-10 lead in the first quarter and held a 24-22 halftime advantage.

The Cowboys will head to MonDak on Friday, Jan. 20, and Lustre on Saturday, Jan. 21.