Without Brandon Givens, Buhler had nothing for Collegiate.
Fortunately for the Crusaders, he played his heart out for the home team and nailed a three-point shot with :10 seconds left to give Buhler a two-point, 39-37 win over Collegiate, Friday night.
"We got a great look and I don't mind him shooting that shot or JP (Lohrentz) shooting that," said Denny Wahlgren, Buhler head coach. "It was a great look."
"We run a play called 'red' in late game situations and my number got called," said Brandon Givens, Buhler senior. "Coach told me to get my legs into it because I had a lot of minutes tonight: I did and it went in."
Buhler had four players score in double figures tonight. Givens had 26 of his teams 39 points. Riley Kemmer had 12 points to lead Collegiate. He was the only Spartan player in double figures Friday night.
A defensive battle in the first half, Buhler (12-2) led only 17-15 at the break - both teams opened up the arsenal in the last 16 minutes as Kemmer dropped a trey for Collegiate before Lohrentz-Givens went back to back from long range, putting the home team back on top.
Spartans came charging back in the third. Trace Clark and Riley Kemmer leading the charge and put Collegiate (11-3) back in front heading into the fourth quarter.
"It was a very fast paced game and that is one of the most intense defensive teams we will play all year," said Givens. "It was definately a battle until the end."
Both teams traded buckets in the final eight minutes as Morriss found Clark for the tough bucket down low after Lohrentz drilled a long three point basket.
"We just needed them to make sure and understand that we have to make shots," said Wahlgren. "We took some good shots in that second half, they just wouldn't go down."
Collegiate trailed 36-35 inside of two minutes to play when a foul and a technical foul were called on one play against Buhler. Clark and Morriss were both sent to the line for two foul shots. Clark Missed both of his while Morriss hit both, giving the Spartans a 37-36 lead.
Going for the lead, Buhler charged the basket but missed the layup and laid a foul on Kemmer, giving him a one and one foul shot opportunity. He missed the most precious of shots giving the Buhler the ball with 30 seconds left.
"We were just hoping for this opportunity and we got it and we executed," said Wahlgren. "We had a staggered double down screen and we got a great look."
Given supplied the dramatics when he nailed the three point basket from long range. Collegiate had a chance to run one more play but threw the ball out of bounds. Lohrentz ran out the final five seconds for the win.
