WWW arkcity.net

By MIKE JOSEPH
Traveler Correspondent

DEXTER -- Poise, determination, and conditioning were the difference Tuesday night as the Dexter Fightin' Cardinals rallied back in the fourth quarter and defeated the Central-Burden Raiders 62-53 in overtime.

Freshman Bradley Berkley's clutch three-pointer from the left corner gave the Cardinals a 51-49 lead with 53 seconds remaining in regulation. With 21-seconds left, sophomore Asa Muntz fouled Josh McMinn. McMinn calmly hit both free throws tying the contest for Central. Berkley then missed a 17-footer with seven seconds showing on the clock.

Central coach Dave Morland called timeout to diagram a game-ending play, but Dexter was able to defend the shot, sending the game into overtime.

It was all Cardinals in the extra frame. Senior Cody Minor's jump hook in the lane gave Dexter a 53-51 lead. With the score 54-51 at the 2:14 mark, Dexter ran off 32 seconds before junior Garret Pudden scored down low and was fouled. Pudden couldn't convert the three-point-play and Dexter led 56-51 with 1:42 left.

Even though Dexter turned the ball over on their next possession, Central couldn't convert on their next two trips down the floor. With less than a minute to play, Central was forced to foul and Dexter took full advantage as junior Eric Pappan, senior Ben Pappan and Muntz went six-of-six from the charity stripe. Zack Drescher's jumper as time expired were the only points in overtime for the Raiders as Dexter improved to 4-5 on the season.

"We have worked hard on our conditioning this year," said Dexter coach Dennis Bryant. "We run a lot in practice just to be ready for this type of game."

Dexter stormed out early, leading 7-0 highlighted by a Berkley three from the corner. Central, following a timeout, scored two quick buckets and trailed 7-4 midway through the period.

Central continued to chip away at the Cardinal lead and pulled even at 13-13 heading into the second quarter. The Raiders stayed close in the second, trailing 24-22 with 2:19 left in the half.

With the clock winding down in the half, Eric Pappan took the inbound pass and dribbled up the left side of the court. With two-seconds left, Pappan's shot from 35-feet ignited the crowd, hitting nothing but net, giving the Cardinals a 28-22 lead at the break.

Central roared back in the third quarter after Minor picked up his fourth foul at the 5:32 mark and Dexter leading 31-24. Brian Hopper's three-pointer capped a 10-1 run by the Raiders, pushing Central in front 34-32 with 3:40 left. Dexter tied the score at 36 with just less than two-minutes remaining, but Central took a 38-36 lead into the final period.

"We knew they (Central) were capable of coming back," said Bryant. "But we just told the boys that the fourth quarter is our quarter and we were going to get back in it."

Berkley scored seven of his game-high 21 in the fourth period after being shut out in the third.

"Bradley got a couple shots blocked and we just ran a couple plays reversing the ball and getting him open shots," said Bryant.

The coach also praised his inside players, Minor and Pudden, who combined for 29 rebounds on the night.

The Cardinals will face a tough test Friday night as Argonia comes to town having only lost once this season.

CENTRAL-BURDEN 13 9 16 13 2 -- 53
DEXTER 13 15 8 15 12 -- 62

Central -- Hopper 13, Drescher 10, Lawson 10, McMinn 9, Smith 9, Kidd 2.
Dexter -- Berkley 21, E. Pappan 10, B. Pappan 8, Muntz 9, Pudden 8, Minor 4, Marker 2.