KC defeats Navarro in overtime for needed win, 84-81

KILGORE, TX -- The Kilgore College Rangers finished strong in almost a must-win game Feb. 3 defeating the Navarro College Bulldogs, 84-81, in overtime.

With it all tied up at 65 points with 3:41 in regulation, Davon Newton hit a huge three-pointer to put KC up 68-67.

Navarro's Jahlil Nails responded with a three of his own to put the Bulldogs up 70-68 with 2:30 left in regulation.

With 1:08 left in regulation, KC's Malachi Davidson stole a Bulldog pass and made a clutch layup to tie the score at 70 points.

Trey Pulliam responded for NC with a short-range jumper to put the Bulldogs up 72-70 with 52 seconds left.

Chad Bowie then made an impressive drive to the basket to score with 30 seconds left to tie the game up at 72.

Navarro then missed a jump shot with two seconds left and the dead ball rebound went to the Rangers.

Bowie threw a long pass into Daytone Jennings who was fouled with two seconds left to give the Rangers a chance to win the game at the free throw line.

Jennings missed the first of a one-and-one, Navarro passed the ball down the court and narrowly missed a potential game-winning three-pointer to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Bowie stole a NC pass and assisted Davidson for a layup to go ahead of the Bulldogs, 77-76.

Davidson then stole a Bulldog pass, drove to the basket, was fouled and made both shots to put KC up by three, 79-76.

He was fouled once more and made one-of-two free throws to put KC ahead, 80-75.

After a three-pointer by NC's Dondre Griffin, Jennings was fouled for KC and hit both free throws to put the Rangers up by four points, 82-78.

Navarro responded with a three-pointer by Tre Thomas to get within one point of KC, 82-81, with 50 seconds left in overtime.

Davidson was fouled on a drive for KC and made one-of-two free throws to put the Rangers up by two points, 83-81.

Navarro missed a close-range shot with 8 seconds left.  Jennings rebounded the ball was fouled. He made one-of-two free throws to put the Rangers ahead, 84-81.

The Bulldogs had one last chance, but missed a long three-pointer at the buzzer to give KC the 84-81 victory.

Davidson led all scorers with 25 points.  Demiere Brown came off the KC bench to score 16 points and Newton and Bowie each scored 14 points for KC.

Keion Epps led all NC scorers with 19 points.  Pulliam had 17 points, Nails had 16 points and Thomas scored 10 for NC.

NC drops to 6-6 in Region XIV play (15-7 overall).  KC improves to 5-7 in conference play and 13-8 overall.

KC's next game is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, in Athens versus No. 11 Trinity Valley Community College.

PHOTO ABOVE: Malachi Davidson led all scorers with 25 points versus Navarro College Feb. 3.