By:Patrick Hall Wednesday, 30 January, 2008

The PCC Men's Basketball Team did a little bear-baiting Wednesday night when the Butler Grizzlies came to town, spotting the visitors a 16 point halftime lead, then roaring back in the second half to send the game into overtime. Not until halfway through the overtime period did Pratt have a lead in the game, and they held on for the 81-78 victory.

Pratt was in a digging mood all night. First, they dug a hole for themselves by hitting only 21 percent in the first half and scoring a season low 20 points. Then they dug in on defense and clawed their way back to tie the game at 69 on a Carlin Whitten lay-up with less than 3 seconds remaining.

Whitten was critical in the comeback. Within the last six minutes he scored 10 points. Three times he drove, scored, and drew fouls. He converted on two of the three. And then there was the coast-to-coast drive and lay-up to tie the game.

A couple of other Beavers were instrumental in sending the game into OT. With just over two minutes left, Pratt was trailing 67-60. Jordan Hammond then hit a three, and Brandel Jones made back-to-back layups. Butler made two free throws for a 69-67 lead, setting up Whitten's heroics.

Pratt finally took a 76-74 lead with 2:30 remaining in overtime. Butler then began to struggle from the line; however, they went up 77-74 when they hit one free throw, then rebounded and scored on the follow. Hammond then hit two from the stripe to give Pratt a one point edge with 1:23 left.

Butler connected on one more free throw, then Whitten scored again on a drive to give Pratt an 80-78 edge. Butler had 29 seconds left to score, but elected to go for the win with a three. They missed, fouled Whitten, and he hit one for the winning margin.

Unfortunately there were no stats available for the second half or the game as a whole.

The Beavers travel to Great Bend to face Barton County on Saturday at 8:00 pm. The women play at 6:00.