Raiders claw their way to area win against Vici

This time of year, it’s just about finding a way.

That’s what Lomega did Thursday night.

The Raiders advanced in their Class B area tournament with a 51-50 victory against Vici in a consolation quarterfinal at Stride Center in Enid.

Trailing much of the night, the Raiders made their move in the fourth quarter.

“We were down all game and just stayed with it and kept fighting,” coach Justin Edsall said.

The tipping point came with 30 seconds to play when Lance Yost nailed his third 3-pointer of the game, but first since the first quarter.

That put Lomega up 48-45.

“Then we hit just enough free throws to hold on,” Edsall said.

Lomega went up four points with 6 seconds to play when Mack Johnson made a meaningless 3-pointer to make it a one-point final.

Burton’s go-ahead shot was part of an eight-point fourth quarter for the junior.

He made two treys in the first quarter and ended his night with 16 points.

Ben Marsh made all three of his foul shots in the fourth, including one to finish a three-point play. He scored 11 on the night and Chase Burton scored 10.

Vici led 12-8 after a quarter and 29-24 at halftime.

The Indians’ Maddox Morris had 18 points at the half, but only scored five in the second half.

None of those points came in the fourth quarter.

Johnson finished with 16 for Vici.

Lomega improved to 21-9 with its win. The Raiders played Deer Creek-Lamont on Friday afternoon (after press time of this edition).

A Cherokee Strip Conference foe, DCLA has beaten Lomega twice this season. It was 74-58 on Jan. 17 and then 73-62 on Jan. 25 in the conference tournament championship.