Cassville Democrat: High School Sports: Southwest's treys sink Purdy, 62-57 (02/06/13)

Southwest rained on Purdy's homecoming celebration on Feb. 1. The Trojans hit a dozen treys in dispatching the Eagles, 62-57.

Jordan Epling hit six rainmakers and James Pettit accounted for another five to lead Southwest's perimeter attack.

"They both played very well offensively," said Southwest coach Jess Ross. "Usually one will have a big night, but tonight they both did."

The underdog Eagles played an inspired game, with three players scoring in double figures. Purdy could not counter Southwest's outside shooting, especially the hot hand of Epling, who finished with a game-high 26 points.

Pettit opened the scoring with a long trey and then fed Epling for a fast break layup to give the Trojans a 5-0 lead. Purdy rallied to take a 12-11 lead on consecutive baskets by Tyler Scott. Southwest finished the period with a 7-2 run as Blake Barnes swished a running jumper in the final seconds, and the Trojans led 20-15 at the first break.

Southwest's long-range duo cranked it up it in the second quarter. Pettit threw in a pair of bombs in the first two minutes, and Epling matched him later in the period. Drew Farrer also connected from beyond the arc as the Trojans built a 41-29 halftime lead.

The Eagles opened the third period with a spirited 6-0 run, as Southwest failed to score for the first 5:45 of the stanza. Epling ended the scoring drought, hitting back-to-back treys to reset the advantage at 12 points. Cameron Terry drove the lane and flipped in a left-handed layup to pull Purdy within 47-37 at the final break.

Turnovers and inconsistency at the free throw line plagued the Trojans in the fourth quarter and allowed the Eagles to climb back into contention.

Terry's trey from the top of the key cut the lead to 60-55 with just 31 seconds left. Barnes converted a pair of one-and-one free throws for the Trojans, and then Kevin Walker drove and scored to pull Purdy within 62-57.

Even though Southwest missed three free throws in the final 20 seconds, the Eagles could get no closer. The Trojans claimed a big Ozark 7 Conference victory and moved closer to claiming the conference crown.

"We are still undefeated in conference play, and that win assures us of at least a tie for the conference championship," said Ross.

The Trojans still have two conference games remaining. A win in either contest would give them the Ozark 7 crown outright.

Scoring for Southwest: Epling, 26 points; Pettit, 15; Brad Daniels, 9; Farrer, 7; Barnes, 4; and Josh Cutberth, 1.

Scoring for Purdy: Brent Cornman, 15 points; Walker, 12; Terry, 11; Scott, 8; Glen Scott, 7; and Alex Mareth and Austin Hancock, 2 each.