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Kilbourne, Williams team up for Girard’s winning basket
By Ryan Buck
LIBERTY
Thirteen.
That was the number of points Girard senior forward Tyler Kilbourne scored Tuesday night in his team’s rivalry matchup with All-American Conference foe Liberty.
His biggest contribution meant much more than the most compelling statistic found on a scoresheet or in a box score, however.
With 16 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and his team trailing 58-57, Kilbourne snuck inside the lane after a missed free throw from teammate Dylan O’Hara.
Under siege from an immediate double team, Kilbourne twisted free to find teammate Chaston Williams darting through an open lane for a deceptively difficult running layup that rattled home, giving Girard a 59-58 lead.
The Leopards’ ensuing rush downcourt proved unsuccessful, ensuring the Indians’ one-point win and an opportunity to celebrate on their rival’s home floor.
“It was just a hustle play,” Kilbourne said. “I was trying to get the offensive rebound and I thought Dylan was going to make it. He’s our best free-throw shooter, but it just happened.
“As soon as I got the ball I looked because I thought Dylan was going to be open. I saw Chaston flashing and got him the ball.”
Williams’ game-winner was the Indians’ first lead of a second half in which they trailed by as many as seven points.
“It was just a great feeling,” Williams said. “I saw him trapped and he couldn’t go anywhere with the ball. The lane was wide open and I knew he was looking for me so I just cut down to make it an easier pass for him.”
Girard coach Craig Hannon said, “We have seven seniors on this team and on the floor at that time was five of them. It was a hustle play and then a heady play to get it out. It was a senior play by Tyler to get it to Chaston and then it happened.”
Liberty guard Lynn Bowden led the Leopards’ final rush with the seconds ticking away. Using the superior quickness and speed he’s become known for on the football field, Bowden made it into the lane and fired a pinpoint pass for Leslie Carter in the left corner.
Carter — who had knocked down three 3-pointers on the night — saw his open jumper attempt miss short. Hyland Burton gathered the long rebound, but couldn’t muster an effective shot at the buzzer.
“We didn’t get the [Kilbourne] rebound we needed to,” said Liberty coach Dan Bubon. “Lynn made a great play getting the ball up the floor. I kind of wish he would have taken a second to gather himself and shot, but he made the right basketball play. He got it into the corner for a guy who had been pretty hot.
“[Carter] just missed the shot. It looked good out of his hands, but it should have never gotten to that point. Our turnovers in the fourth quarter and our lack of rebounding is what really allowed them back in the game.”
O’Hara led the Indians with 25 points, including 14 in the second half. Williams scored eight of his 12 in the fourth quarter.
The Indians methodically fought their way back into the game late as a three-point play from Christian Bello brought them to within three points with 2:21 left. After a Bowden miss, Williams’ basket preceded Leopards guard Ben Phillips’ two free throws for a 57-54 Liberty lead.
O’Hara made a rebound and put-back with 1:15 left and Phillips split another trip to the free-throw line.
O’Hara connected on the first of his two foul shots, setting up the Kilbourne-Williams sequence on the unsuccessful second attempt.