PORTLAND - Roosevelt scored the final four points of its opening round state playoff game against Central Catholic, emerging with a 68-64 win.
Central Catholic tied the game up three different times down the stretch, at 54, 62, and 64, but the Rough Riders put the final exclamation mark on the win with the clinching points.
First quarter action started with the Rams winning the tip off and Roosevelt playing motion offense. A very fast paced first quarter it was. The Rough Riders came out of the gate playing very aggressive, getting free throws early in the game, but Central Catholic led 15-11 after one quarter.
Roosevelt began to shift momentum in the second quarter, getting to the free throw line for 10 shots from the stripe in the quarter. Central Catholic still led late into the quarter, until Jayoni Moore drilled a buzzer-beating three at the buzzer to give the Rough Riders the advantage.
“It was great for momentum because at that point I think Central Catholic had the momentum," said Roosevelt coach Yusef Leary. "With Jayoni Moore making that shot, it turned it around and made us feel good going into half time."
Central Catholic re-took the lead in the third quarter, 40-38, but it would be the last lead of the night, despite a 30-point effort in the game from Isaac Amaral-Artharee, whose point total was a game high for either team. Roosevelt countered with a big night from Bostyn Holt, who had 29 points, 13 of them coming from the free throw line.
