Cosmos top Minutemen in overtime

The Cosmos looked in great shape with a 40-28 lead with 5:56 to play against Mill River. However, things quickly changed.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20130109/SPORTS02/701099902

Published January 9, 2013 in the Rutland Herald Cosmos top Minutemen in overtime By POODY WALSH CORRESPONDENT Rutland Herald SPRINGFIELD — After letting a 12-point fourth quarter lead slip away, Springfield outscored Mill River 11-7 in overtime to post a 56-52 Marble Valley League win at Dressel Gym Tuesday night. The Cosmos looked in great shape with a 40-28 lead with 5:56 to play. However, things quickly changed. “We had played without energy up to that point,” said Mill River coach Jason Smith. The Minutemen certainly got energized the rest of the period as Ben Smith’s 3-pointer with 27 seconds to play tied the game at 45-45. The overtime came down to the final precious seconds. When Mill River’s Jacob Pitts made two free throws with 31 seconds to go Springfield a 52-50 advantage. Mill River, forced to foul, sent Devin Brady to the line on two occasions and both times made two free throws to put the game away. Both teams entered the game with 3-3 records and it was the Springfield defense that kept the Cosmos in the hunt most of the night. “I thought we played good defense all night,” said Springfield coach Pete Peck. “This was really a big win for us. We made some foolish mistakes and we made some smart plays. But it was a win we needed.” The fourth quarter was frantic as it became apparent that Mill River had righted the ship; the Minutemen chipped away at the Springfield lead and with 3:32 had got within four at 44-40. Then there was a gap of over two minutes where nobody scored until Pitts made a free throw with 1:20 to go. Twenty-seven seconds later Tanner Stewart hit one of two free throws and it was 44-42, Springfield. Mike Muther’s free throw put Springfield up 45-42, but Smith was the hero of the moment when he banged in his three from the side to tie the score. Both teams could have helped themselves from the foul line as Mill River was 13 of 23 and Springfield 12 of 23. Mill River scored the first two points of the overtime, but Springfield countered with a six-point run, a cushion they needed as Mill River cut the lead to two before Springfield was able to hang on. Mike Muther, who was steady all night finished with 18 for the Cosmos while Brady had 12 and Dean Bactad 10. For Mill River Pitts had 15 and Smith nine. “Once we got aggressive we played much better,” said Smith, But we hurt ourselves from the four line.” Both teams play again Friday as Otter Valley comes to Mill River and Springfield goes to Bellows Falls.