Palmer rally falls short

PALMER — With 90 seconds left Tuesday, Colony sat with a 10-point lead. But before the Knights knew what hit them, Palmer had used a nine-point run to bring the Moose within one.

Despite the late Palmer rally, Colony used a Payton McCann drive to the basket during the final seconds and pair of key defensive stops to secure a 45-42 win over the Moose at Colony HIgh School.

“We didn’t handle the last two minutes the way we wanted to, but some of that is experience,” Colony head coach Tom Berg said after the game. “There’s three-year starters over on that side of the ball. There’s no quit in that squad.”

Colony junior Jared Turner hit a pair of free throws with about 1:30 left in regulation to push his team’s lead to 10. But Palmer hit a trio of big shots to pull itself back into the game.

After a Colony turnover, Palmer senior Hunter Dean hit a long three-pointer to cut Colony’s lead to 43-37. Following the ensuing inbound pass, a jump ball was called as the Moose went for the steal. Possession was given to the Moose, and Palmer sophomore Connor Looney hit another PHS three-pointer to bring Palmer within three with 49 seconds left.

With 36 seconds to go, senior Christian Odom used a runner to the basket to cut Colony’s lead to 43-42. Up by one with less than 30 seconds to go, as Palmer drove toward the basket, Turner got his hand on a ball in the paint. McCann picked up the steal and went the length of the court for the bucket.

“Turner got a hand on the ball, Tim Smith was in there, Payton was in there. To be able to grab it and make a play with it, obviously that’s a big, big, not only (a) stop, but it put them down by three,” Berg said.

With one final chance during the final seconds, Colony sophomore Hunter Eisenhower blocked a Palmer three-point attempt to preserve the win.

“(Turner) got a hand on the ball late, Payton got a hand on the ball, Hunter got a terrific block without fouling,” Berg said. “It’s team basketball.”

Odom scored a game-high 22 points for the Palmer Moose during the loss. Odom scored 10 of his team’s 14 second-quarter points and finished with nine field goals in the contest.

“He’s pretty crafty with the ball,” Berg said of Odom. “He’s a three-year starter and a senior. He’s just a good basketball player.”

Senior Sean Niekamp added eight points for the Moose.

Sophomore Nathan Umbarger led Colony with 10 points. Not only did Umbarger stand out on offense, but also helped the Knights slow down Niekmap, Palmer’s all-conference forward, inside.

“He’s a kid you worry about just because his motor never quits,” Berg said of Niekamp.

Umbarger was the lone Knight to hit double digits, but Colony used a balanced scoring attack to get the win. Turner and McCann each had nine and Eisenhower chipped in seven.

Both teams are back on the floor tonight. Colony hosts Soldotna at 7:30 p.m., while the Moose face Kenai Central at PHS.

Colony 45, Palmer 42

Tuesday, Colony High School

Palmer 7-14-8-13—42

Colony 12-15-6-12—45

Palmer (42) — Odom 9 4-7 22, Looney 1 3-4 6, Dean 1 0-0 3, Niekmap 3 2-3 8, Fullmer 1 0-0 3; Totals: 15 9-14 42.

Colony (45) — Niver 0 2-2 2, Smith 1 2-2 4, Tuner 2 4-4 9, McCann 4 1-2 9, Enloe 1 0-0 2, Eisenhower 3 1-5 7, PePriest 1 0-0 2, Umbarger 5 0-0 10; Totals 17 10-15 45.

Three-point field goals: Palmer 3 (3 tied with 1), Colony 1 (Turner 1); Total fouls: Palmer 18, Colony 17.