MacArthur proves too much in second half

The Guthrie boys basketball team out rebounded Lawton MacArthur throughout their Friday afternoon game, but when it came down to needing one the Jays fell short.

After weather canceled day one of the Titan Classic, the games got started Friday and in the boys first game, MacArthur edged out the Jays 48-45. The Jays are now 0-3 this season on day one of tournaments.

Guthrie (7-6) will return Saturday with an 11:30 tip with Wichita North, who were defeated by Millwood 50-44. The Jays are without their head coach, Pete Papahronis, this weekend, who is with his family after the passing of his mother earlier this week.

Guthrie, who never once had a fourth quarter lead, pulled with three, 46-43, on Kentrell Brothers made lay-up and in the process was fouled with just 35 seconds remaining. Brothers missed the throw, but MacArthur turned the ball over out-of-bounds.

Eight seconds later, Richard Brothers hit a right-handed hook shot to bring the Jays within one, 46-45, with 27 seconds left. Guthrie quickly committed a foul to force the one-and-one.

The Highlanders missed the free throw, but liked they did 43 seconds earlier grabbed the rebound forcing Guthrie to once again foul. This time Mac hit both free throw to take a 3-point lead with 17 seconds remaining.

MacArthur, in a full court press, forced a Guthrie turnover, but then missed a lay-up with three seconds. Tim Zupo had a three-fourths of the floor shot, but fell well short.

Guthrie jumped out to a 12-5 lead to start the game, but Mac answered with a 10-0 run in the next 2:50 to give them their first lead. In the final 5:50 of the first half, Guthrie out scored Mac 8-4 to take a 20-19 lead into the locker room.

MacArthur’s junior play-maker, Quinton Paras, finished with a game high 16 points before fouling out. Paras had to sit the last 5:50 of the first half due to three fouls. Paras eventually fouled out with 1:42 left in the game.

Richard Brothers was the only BlueJay to score in double digits with 10.