BB D2 FINAL: #1 Dayton Dunbar slips past upstart Elida, 54-52

From ohsaa.org

COLUMBUS, – Dayton Dunbar senior Andre Yates’ running, close-range jumper with 3.2 seconds left snapped a tie game, and the No. 1-ranked undefeated Wolverines held on to top upranked Elida, 54-52, in the OHSAA boys basketball Division II state championship game March 24 at Ohio State’s Value City Arena in the Jerome Schottenstein Center.

Moments earlier, Elida’s Reggie McAdams was fouled on a drive to the basket and sank his first free throw attempt with 11 seconds left to tie the game at 52. His second attempt was no good, however, and Dunbar advanced the ball up the court quickly, resulting in Yates’ game-winning shot.

Elida’s half-court heave at the buzzer did not hit the rim.

The title is the fifth for Dunbar (1987, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012) in their eighth trip to the state tournament. The Wolverines complete the season 28-0.

Elida (24-4) held its largest lead of the game at 11 points with 5:44 left in the third quarter. Dunbar then went on a 20-0 run that stretched into the fourth to force the Bulldogs to play catchup the rest of the way.

Elida, which ended the regular-season unranked, was in the state tournament for the first time. McAdams, a senior, led the Bulldogs with a game-high 24 points.

Dunbar had four players score in double figures, led by Deontae Hawkins’ 14 points and 12 rebounds.