Mansfield Senior pulled away in the final seconds Friday night to edge Bellevue 64-59 for an exciting Division II boys sectional basketball championship at Bucyrus High School.
With just 45 seconds remaining in a tie game, Ja'Ontay O'Bryant fed Duke Reese for a bucket to put the Tygers on top 61-59. Nine seconds later Rashad Reed drained a free throw, and with 20 seconds showing Nathaniel Haney hit two more free throws to put the Redmen away for good.
Senior High moved on top 19-14 through the first quarter and owned a 38-32 edge at the half. Bellevue closed to within 50-47 heading to the final eight minutes. The fourth-seeded Redmen tied the Tygers late but never could grab the lead.
Coach Marquis Sykes' team enjoyed a 29-22 rebounding advantage. Mansfield Senior blistered the nets with 56 percent shooting (23-of-41), including 7-of-13 accuracy from beyond the arc.