GALION — Conference basketball is often competitive in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, and it was no different on Thursday night.
Galion (3-2, 2-2 MOAC) held off Highland in overtime, 69-58, behind a career night for Tigers senior guard Elijah Chafin. Chafin poured in 41 points to give Galion their third win of the season.
From the very beginning of the game, it was easy to see that Highland planned to limit Galion senior guard Cooper Kent and that’s just what they did. Kent finished with just five points. With all the attention on Kent, it opened the door for Chafin to burn the Scots badly.
“He’s kind of had a slow start scoring this year. Tonight, it came out, and we knew he had it in him. It was just good to see him get going,” Galion head coach Tyler Sanders said.
There was plenty of offense to start this one with both teams having 17 points after a quarter. Coen Fuson had six of his nine points in the first quarter for the Tigers.
The pace slowed down in the second quarter and Galion held a slim 28-27 lead at halftime.
“I think it shows a team getting better when you don’t play well, but you find a way to win,” Sanders said.
In the third quarter, the pace picked back up and ended with Galion holding a 45-43 lead.
Highland (1-5, 0-4 MOAC) got the break they needed in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
The Scots outscored Galion 9-7 to tie it at 52 at the end of regulation. Cooper Young scored six of his 12 points in the third quarter alone for Highland. Ranger Steck had six points in the final quarter which was a big boost for Highland. Steck finished with 10 points.
Galion took over in the extra four minutes, primarily Chafin. The Tigers outscored the Scots 17-6 in overtime and the senior point guard had 16 of those points. Overall, 29 of Chafin’s 41 points came in the second half. It was one of the most special performances the area will see this season.
A Quinn Miller free throw was the only other point for the Tigers in overtime, as he finished with seven. Senior Steven Glew also had seven points.
Aron West had 13 points to pace the Scots and Toby Rogers added 11. Highland made just 6-of-16 free throws, while the Tigers converted 19-of-31. Galion converted 10 triples and Highland connected on four. Highland controlled the turnover battle with 14 turnovers to 17 for Galion.
“The ball just did not fall our way tonight. For our guys to continue to battle, I was impressed,” Sanders said.
Galion plays at Pleasant on Dec. 23, then they will be off until they host Lucas on Dec. 29.
The Scots are back in action when they host River Valley on Dec. 29.