STROUD — In a tight contest, Bethany pulled away in overtime for a 39-33 win over Weatherford Friday (March 5) to send the Bronchos to 4A Area I consolation finals for a chance to earn a state tournament berth.

“That was just a good ole fashioned playoff game!” Bethany coach Josh Holliday said via text. “There were fewer possessions in that game than most and every possession was magnified. A 5-point lead in those games feels like 10.”

Bethany trailed by five points (10-5) after the first quarter. The Bronchos got second quarter 3-pointers from senior Jagger Weaver, junior Malachi Chatman and sophomore Dempsey Neal to take a 22-19 lead into halftime.

Bethany extended the lead to six points (27-21) in the third quarter before Eagle senior Dylan Epp drilled a 3-pointer and the Bronchos had 3-point lead (27-24) after a low-scoring third quarter.

“Coach (Derrick) Bull is a heck of a coach and he’s got some tough kids that battled back,” Holliday said.

Bethany took a 30-26 lead after sophomore Breck Brady scored a bucket and hit the free throw after being fouled.

Weatherford stormed back after two empty possessions, including a turnover to tie the game at 30 on another Epp layup with 3:52 left.

Both teams had scoring opportunities but neither scored for the rest of regulation.

Senior Denton Jaggers started the extra period by driving to the bucket and scoring his first field goal of the game.

That set the tone and outside of an Epp trey, the overtime belonged to Bethany, which outscored Weatherford 9-3 to seal the win.

The Broncho trio of of Jaggers, Brady and junior Wyatt Keefer delivered at the line in the overtime period, hitting 7 of 8 free shots.

“Just proud of our guys for never flinching, staying together and making huge free throws down the stretch in OT,” Holliday said.

Brady finished with 13 points, including three points in overtime.

Both Jaggers and Weaver each finished with six points. Jaggers had four of his total in the extra period.

Chatman added five points, all in the second quarter when the Bronchos took the lead back.

Weatherford’s Epp scored a game-high 16 points with four 3-pointers in the loss.

UP NEXT

Bethany (24-6) has a rematch of the regional opener against Oklahoma Christian School.

The 14th-ranked Saints (16-9) lost to Cascia Hall, 48-47.

OCS won a physical contest over the Bronchos on Feb. 24, 62-53, at Bethany.

Saturday’s winner advances to state and the loser’s season ends.

	1	2	3	4	OT	F
Weatherford (26-4)	10	9	5	6	3	33
Bethany (24-6)	5	17	5	3	9	39