Peterson's bucket lifts Batavia over Larkin
Admittedly, Batavia's Eric Peterson didn't feel much pain until a few minutes after Friday night's boys basketball game against Larkin.
Peterson, who landed awkwardly and rolled his left ankle during a drive to the basket midway through the fourth quarter, administered some anguish for the Royals (7-8, 2-3) on his game-winning putback with 5.2 seconds remaining during the Bulldogs' 55-54 Upstate Eight Conference River Division victory in Batavia.
After a pair of free throws by junior Anthony Lynch (team-high 16 points) put Larkin on top 54-53 with 25 seconds left, Bulldogs' senior guard Devion Davis misfired on a runner in the lane before Peterson converted on his third try after 3 consecutive offensive rebounds.
"It was a botched play," said Peterson, a junior guard who finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists as the Bulldogs climbed above the .500 mark at 8-7 overall, 2-3 in UEC River play.
"It was originally designed for (Colin) Cheaney but we got it back to Dev (Davis). The ball went right to me. I had a couple guys around me and it took me a few times but I eventually got it in."
"He was just persistent with it," Batavia coach Jim Nazos said of Peterson.
Following a pair of timeouts, the Royals had a final chance to win it but Lynch's 15-foot jumper caromed off the front rim at the buzzer.
"We wanted the ball in his hands," Larkin coach Deryn Carter said of Lynch. "We executed it well, it just came up a little short. We got a good shot up there."
The fact that the game came down to the wire wasn't much of a surprise considering the season history between the teams.
Going into the contest, both teams owned records of 3-5 in games decided by less than 10 points.
"It seems like they're all of our games," said Nazos. "Even with the 3-1 (record) at Christmas, we won in OT in one game and won another by two (points). We're learning how to play in them.
"That was a very good win against a very good team. They're hard to guard and they get to the rim."
Cheaney scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who led 33-27 at halftime before falling behind 41-39 after 3 quarters.
"We had zero turnovers in the fourth quarter," said Nazos. "Every time we touched the ball, we got a look at the basket. In the third quarter, we were giving the ball up (7 turnovers) and giving them extra possessions."
Jalen Shaw, the Royals' 6-foot-10 junior center, finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with 35 seconds remaining. Junior guard Kindrel Morris added 10 points.
"We lost this game in the shootaround," said Carter. "When you're not able to play full strength and play your normal rotation, you're not going to beat a team like Batavia on the road. I'm proud of the guys for the way they battled but just super disappointed."