JUCO Playoffs: Allen Hits Clutch Basket

KILGORE, Tex. -- Myron Allen hit the go ahead basket with 1:31 to play as third seeded Lee needed overtime to upend sixth seeded Panola J.C., 89-85, on Saturday afternoon at the Region 14 quarters.

Allen's pull up jumper in the lane danced on the rim momentarily and slowly rolled through the twine to give the Rebels an 85-83 lead.

On Panola's next possession, Omar Thomas missed a jumper and Tony Gipson was whistled for a charge with 50.5 seconds to play.

Lee had a chance to pull away from the free throw line inside the final minute, but converted just four of seven attempts from the stripe to keep the Ponies within striking distance.

The Rebels were aided by a pair of misses from Thomas, Panola's 6-5 All-Region selection from Philadelphia, Penn, with just 13 ticks left in overtime. At the time, Lee was clinging to an 86-83 advantage.

Allen put the final nail in the Ponies' coffin with a pair of freebies with four-tenths of a second left on the clock.

Allen, the Rebels' outstanding combo guard from Houston, led Lee with 24 points and five assists. Oregon recruit Andre Joseph actually topped the Rebels' in scoring with 25 points, but he converted just six of 23 attempts from the field. The third wheel in the backcourt, sophomore guard Kevin Cooper, added 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Thomas turned in a sensational offensive performance for Panola, registering 27 points 13/27 FGs) and an eye popping 21 rebounds. Marcus Lewis, an athletic 6-8 freshman power forward, chipped in 10 points and 16 rebounds while burly freshman combo forward Zack Allison collected 19 points and 15 rebounds.

A few other notable performances were turned in by Lee center Anwar Ferguson (eight points, 12 rebounds, six blocks) and Panola point guard Zakee Smith (11 points, 11 assists).

Lee will take on Lon Morris College later today for a slot in the Region XIV championship on Monday.