Moser’s late basket sends Cyclones past Blair, 72-70
HARLAN (Dec. 5) -- Senior Jared Moser scored off a sideline inbounds play with less than two seconds to go Tuesday night, lifting the Harlan Community boys basketball team to a 72-70 win over Blair, Nebraska.
One year after beating the Bears in overtime at their place, HCHS squandered a 10-point second-half lead before Moser hit two clutch shots down the stretch to help the Cyclones get to 2-0.
Blair’s desperation heave from beyond mid-court bounced off the back iron as time expired. The Bears (2-1) lost despite a 58.5 percent shooting night from the field, including 10-of-16 from three-point range.
With Harlan trailing 68-67 late in the fourth, Moser nailed a three-pointer to put the Cyclones back on top by two. Moments later, though, Moser had his pocket picked at half court by Quincy Nichols, who scored uncontested to force a 70-70 tie.
Following a Cyclone miss, the Bears had a go-ahead three waved off by a traveling call and HCHS got the ball back with :49 left to hold for one shot.
Two timeouts later - after another near steal by Blair - the Cyclones inbounded the ball in front of their own student section and Logan Klaassen found Moser on the back side of the defense for a contested layup with :01.4 remaining.
HCHS 72, Blair 70
HCHS Leading Scorers: Shane Chamberlain 22, Jacob Hansen 9, Jared Moser 9, Brett Sears 9, Deren Schmitz 8, Logan Klaassen 7, Johnathan Monson 6.
Blair Leading Scorers: Quincy Nichols 31, Jarod Reed 14, Garrett Thomsen 10, Evan Slominski 8.