Ohmer's 27 leads Tigers OT thriller as GC advances to MSC title game
After going just 2-9 and scoring 6 points in the quarterfinal win over Cumberland, Jake Ohmer knew it would take a bigger night to get past Pikeville. He was right and delivered. Ohmer scored 27 points as Georgetown needed overtime but eliminated Pikeville, 90-81, to advance to Monday's Mid-South Conference Championship.
The Tigers needed every one of Ohmer's 27 to counteract the scoring prowess of Pikeville's Teddy Parham. Parham went for 30 points on this night, including 14-14 from the foul line. Parham was limited to just 24 minutes due to foul trouble but still showed why he was the conference regular season scoring champ. After 2 early buckets from Cam Brooks-Harris, Parham hit his 1st 3 and then 2 free throws to put UPike up, 7-4 early. Ohmer replied with his first 3 and the 2 sharpshooters were off and running. Drew LaMont followed with a 3 to put the Tigers ahead, 10-9, just under 4 minutes in. Just 27 seconds later, Parham committed his 2nd foul, giving the Tigers an added boost. Brooks-Harris took advantage with an immediate 3, to put the Tigers up 13-9.
Both defenses began settling in as Georgetown was not able to build a lead with Parham out but was able to keep the 5 Bears on the floor in check. The Bears would slowly work to a 21-19 lead with 7:38 left in the half. Baskets would trade before UPike would get consecutive baskets from Korbin Spencer, pushing the UPike lead to 30-25 with 4 minutes left. Back-to-back baskets from Jabrion Spikes and a last second jumper from Tommy Thomas gave Georgetown a 33-32 lead at the half. The Tigers held the Bears scoreless over the last 3 minutes, but UPike played the Tigers even over the final 15 minutes with Parham on the bench.
Jake Ohmer and Cam Brooks-Harris each knocked down free throws to start the 2nd half, giving GC and early 5-point lead in the 2nd. Ohmer then followed a Bears basket with a deep 3, putting Georgetown up 40-34 with 18:21 to go. Parham then got going again. 5 straight points put UPike ahead, 41-40, but Ohmer had the answer, putting GC back up. After a Kyran Jones block, Ohmer knocked down another 3, putting Georgetown ahead by 4. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Parham free throws. Ohmer basket.
A Tae Dozier tip-in gave GC a 49-43 lead, forcing UPike into a timeout with 13:38 to go. The Tigers got a stop and Ohmer hit a driving lay-in plus a foul. After the free throw and a basket from Brooks-Harris, Georgetown took a 54-43 lead with 12:37 to go and put the Tigers on the edge of a knockout blow. Parham came to the Bears rescue with a 3-point play and knocked down a 3-pointer moments later to bring the Bears within 56-49 at the 10:33 mark. The Bears continued chipping away. With just under 8 minutes to go and the score 59-56, Georgetown, Teddy Parham knocked down a 3-pointer and was fouled by Tommy Thomas. The free throw gave the Bears a 60-59 lead, capping a 16-6 run. Jaquay Wales scored immediately and after a Parham turnover, Ohmer scored to put Georgetown ahead 63-60, with 7:13 to go.
A critical moment came with 3:53 to go. With Georgetown leading 67-63, Drew LaMont committed a tough foul on Teddy Parham. On top of the foul, LaMont was also called for a technical foul, putting Parham at the line for 4 free throws. Parham sank all 4 to tie the game at 67. Ohmer scored on a layup with 3:39 to go, but UPike's Bradley Bunch hit a 3, giving the Bears a 70-69 lead. It was shortlived as Ohmer immediately answered with a 3 of his own. UPike would answer inside and the game was tied at 72 with 2:41 to go. The game would stay there until Tommy Thomas was fouled with 1 minute to go. He would sink both free throws, but Parham knocked down 2 of his own to tie the game again at 74 with 41 seconds left. With 26 seconds left, Ohmer drew the 5th foul on Teddy Parham, ending his night; however, Ohmer stunned everyone by missing 2 free throws, leaving the game tied. Tommy Thomas reentered the game for Ohmer with 11 seconds left. It would prove to be a critical move as Thomas blocked a game-winning layup with 2 seconds left. UPike would get 1 last shot to win a buzzer-beating 3 hit the front rim, sending the game to overtime.
Georgetown took control early in overtime. 2 buckets from Tae Dozier put GC up 4 less than 90 seconds in. After a UPike free throw, Tommy Thomas scored and was fouled. The 3-point play put the Tigers up 6 midway through OT. Bowling Green native, Kyran Jones, then forced a turnover, leading to a Cam Brooks-Harris 3 and an 84-75 GC lead with 2:11 to go. UPike called for time but the damage was already done. Georgetown would hit 7-9 free throws in overtime to close out an instant classic.
In addition to 27 from Jake Ohmer, Cam Brooks-Harris finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. Tae Dozier ended with 11 points, 10 rebounds (7 offensive) and 2 steals. Jabrion Spikes and Tommy Thomas each added 10 off the bench.
Georgetown will now play for its 12th Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship and 4th in the last 5 years. The title game will take place on Monday night in Bowling Green with a scheduled 8:30pm ET tip.