NTL BOYS' BASKETBALL: ABELL'S 3-POINTER PUSHES NEB PAST WELLSBORO IN OT (2021-02-13)

Northern Tier Sports Report
ROME — Sam Abell hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime, and just when it looked like NEB might fall away they come back, beating Wellsboro 62-60 in NTL boys’ basketball action Saturday.

“This is a huge win for us,” said Panther coach Paul Burgert. “Wellsboro is a great team, and extremely well coached. Our boys battled hard tonight defensively, and on the glass. (Nick) Beers got it going offensively in the first half, and in the second half Lucas (Crown), and the rest of the guys, were able to find some footing.”

Burgert is particularly impressed with Abell’s play of late.

“Sammy Abell knocked down some big shots, including the game winner tonight,” he said. “On Monday, Sam came up with the big steal at Northwest that set up the winning basket, and tonight he banks in that shot. No, he didn’t call bank, he called game! I ‘m just really proud of our guys, who continue to work hard and grind.”

Beers finished with 24 points and 11 boards for a double-double to go with five assist. Crown added 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals as Abell had 12 points, all on 3-pointers. 

Dan Seeley had seven points, seven boards and three assists, while Dan Williams finished with three points, six boards and two steals.

Payton McClure led Wellsboro with 25 points as Isaac Keane netted 13 and Liam Murphy notched 11.

The Hornets led 15-13 after the first quarter on the strength of 10 Murphy points. Beers, though, had seven for the Panthers to help them keep pace.

NEB would take a 25-24 lead at the half, thanks to a big second quarter from Beers, who netted seven.

Wellsboro came alive in the third, as it looked like they might pull away with a 22 point effort. McClure hit four 3-pointers, part of seven of the game, while Keane and Darryn Callahan had four points apiece.

Crown came alive with five points while Beers continued to produce with six, though NEB found themselves down 46-39 after three.

In the fourth NEB held Wellsboro to just seven points as Crown netted five to lead the Panther comeback. They would knot the game up at 53-all, forcing overtime.

Four different Panthers scored in the extra period, but it was Abell’s 3-pointers, his fourth of the game, that decided the outcome.

Wellsboro won the JV game 53-30 as Andrew Beers had seven points to lead the Panthers.

NEB, now 6-7, will host NP-Liberty next Tuesday.

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