Buffaloes take first-round tourney win

At the end of overtime, the scoreboard told the story
Justin Conduff:  His scoring included a three-pointer that tied the game and sent it into overtime.
Justin Conduff: His scoring included a three-pointer that tied the game and sent it into overtime.

For the third time this season, the Buffaloes went into overtime.  The two previous attempts ended in tough losses.

Not this time, Floyd took down the tough Giles Spartans 76-67 after taking the lead from the start of overtime Friday night and never looked back to win their first-round match of the Conference 38 tournament.

The Buffs, down seven points (36-29) at the half, battled back in the third and fourth quarters with determination and tied the game 53 all with 4:36 to go in the final regulation period.

The Spartans went back ahead 57-53 with 3:14 left, then it was 59-57 at 2:47.  Floyd took the lead 62-61 with 1:21 left.  At 8.5 seconds left in regulation, Giles took a three-point lead 65-62 and it looked like the Buffaloes faced another tough loss and elimination from the tournament but Justin Conduff sunk a critical three-pointer to tie the score at 65 all and a four-minute overtime period stood between Floyd and a win or loss.

The Buffaloes scored first, leading 67-65, then, then added a free-throw to make it 68-65, then kept adding scores until it was 74-65 with 28.5 seconds left in overtime.  Giles managed one two-point score in the overtime and the game closed out with the Buffalo win of 76-67.

The win takes the Buffs into the next round against Martinsville Monday at 6 p.m. at James River High School in Buchanan.

The Lady Buffaloes, seeded first in Conference 38, had a bye in the first round and will play Giles Tuesday night at James River after the Spartans Friday night.

Both the Monday and Tuesday games start at 6 p.m.

The conference tournaments are now almost a full week behind schedule because of the weather and hope to wrap up next week before heading into regional play.  A win in the semi-finals in conference guarantees an appearance in the region tournament.

Roger Mannon’s story and lots more photos in next week’s Floyd Press.

Cole Harris scores
Cole Harris scores
At the end of overtime, the scoreboard told the story
At the end of overtime, the scoreboard told the story

© 2004-2022 Blue Ridge Muse

© 2021 Blue Ridge Muse