Saginaw Boswell beats Saginaw, locks up playoff spot

By Greg Bogomol

Special to the Star-Telegram

By connecting on 11 of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter on Friday night, Saginaw Boswell accomplished two things.

It took a 65-55 victory over Saginaw, the second victory against its rival time this season, and it locked up a playoff berth.

On their home court, the Pioneers (20-9, 11-3) were led by Dedrick Berry with 19 points. They will clinch at least the third seed with a victory on Tuesday at Chisholm Trail.

Berry scored 11 of his team's 23 fourth-quarter points, including seven of his eight free throws down the stretch.

"We want the ball in Dedrick's hands down the stretch, because he's just so hard to guard," Boswell coach Kenny Price said. "This game was so important to get the win and I am so proud of the seniors to be able to win their last game on this court. It's also big because in that bi-district round, those teams are all tough; there isn't an easy team."

Saginaw (17-10, 8-5) trailed 29-24 at the half but fought back in the third quarter, getting Boswell to turn the ball over on six of its first seven possessions to pull within 36-35 on a free throw from Tyler Flores.

But Boswell closed the quarter on a 6-0 run, getting four points from Cedrine Ouma who finished with 12 points, and the Rough Riders could never cut the lead to less than five the rest of the way.

Dominique Johnson and Arique Moss each scored 15 for Saginaw, which closed to within 51-46 with 3:25 left on pair of free throws from Ashten Newton, but Berry took.

The Rough Riders' biggest lead of the first half was 13-9 after Johnson hit a 3-pointer in the first quarter. Boswell then scored the last five points of the quarter for a 14-13 lead.

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