Bartlett falls at East Aurora

Bartlett was in prime position to impact the Upstate Eight Valley boys basketball conference race.

But it was not meant to be Friday night at East Aurora.

With league-leading Neuqua Valley on the wrong side of a one-sided game at West Aurora, the Hawks could have drawn within a game of the Wildcats.

But the host Tomcats trailed only once and held off a furious Bartlett rally in the fourth quarter to snap a nine-game conference losing streak with a 51-49 victory in Aurora.

Bartlett (18-8, 8-4) trails Neuqua Valley by two games with as many games to play.

East Aurora improved to 7-15 and 2-9 in league play.

Robby Jimenez, who hit three 3-pointers to lead the Hawks with 11 points, converted the last of his jumpers from beyond the arc to forge the first tie of game since early in the second quarter with 4 minutes, 35 seconds to play.

But East Aurora scored on its ensuing two possessions to take a 45-41 lead.

Twice in the next two minutes, Bartlett failed to convert 3-point plays that could have dramatically impacted the game.

"You have to hit free throws down the stretch, no question about it," Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said.

With East Aurora leading 48-47 with 19 seconds to play, Bartlett had a chance after the Tomcats missed the front end of a bonus free throw.

But the Hawks had a critical turnover seven seconds later, and Anthony Peters' two free throws restored the Tomcats' lead to 3.

East Aurora intentionally fouled the Hawks' Ryan DiCanio with five seconds to play before the senior guard could launch a potential game-tying 3-pointer.

DiCanio scored the last of his 8 points with the two conversions - and after Peters' split free throws with 1.9 seconds to play - the game ended in controversial fashion with a non-call as DiCanio attempted a desperation 60-footer.

"He got hammered," Wolfsmith said. "Most refs aren't going to make that call in a last-second situation."

Wolfsmith did not allow his players to comment after the game.

East Aurora executed its game plan to near perfection to take a 29-20 lead into halftime.

Lawrence Stewart, who tied teammate Ron McBride with game-scoring honors with 14 points, scored 12 of his total in the second quarter.

"I felt we came out flat," Wolfsmith said.

"We didn't really have any offense at the time," Stewart said. "I needed to step up and help my team in the game."

"The kids really listened and carried out the game plan," East Aurora coach Wendell Jeffries said.

Bartlett had a balanced offensive attack.

Tyler Pauletti, Jordan Anderson, DiCanio and reserve Mike Ourth all scored between 9 and 7 points.