UT State 3A Championship Semifnals, Hurricane Tigers v. Cedar Redmen, Burns Arena, St. George, Feb. 24, 2012 | Photo by Troy Hoskins, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The Hurricane Tigers storm from 10 points down to beat the Cedar Redmen 44-42 in overtime last night, Feb. 24. The Redmen were without their starting point guard and third leading scorer John Urusa because he missed a class earlier in the day.

With the win, the Tigers advance to take on the Desert Hills Thunder today at 1:30 p.m. in the Burns Arena.

The Tigers were down by five points with just over a minute to play. Boston Gubler made two free throws to cut the Tiger deficit to three points. After causing a turnover the Tigers got a clutch 3-point basket to tie the game.

Both teams had the chance to win the game in regulation, but neither could capitalize. The Tigers had the last chance in regulation but Rich missed a runner at the buzzer and the game was headed to overtime.

In the extra period, the Tigers jumped out to a 4-point lead. The Redmen answered with a Kyler Nielson-3 with 20 seconds left in the extra period.

The Tigers’ Colton Marshall was fouled and went to the line to shoot a one-and-one. Marshall missed the front end and but the ball went out of bounds off the Redmen so the Tigers maintained possession.

The ball was once again inbounded to Marshall, but Marshall missed both free throws giving the Redmen the ball back with a chance to win only trailing by one.

The Redmen raced down the floor but, just like in the end of regulation, the Redmen turned the ball over and the Tigers took over with exactly one second to play.

Marshall was once again at the line. Marshall made the first but missed the second, the Redmen picked the rebound up off the floor but the full court shot came up short and the Tiger fans rushed the court.

The Urusa-less Redmen were led by Nielson who scored a game high 16 points. Nielson was the only one of the Redmen in double figures.

Gubler led the way for the Tigers, scoring 15 points, Rich added 12 points including two 3-point baskets.

The Redmen will play Dixie at Pine View High School at 11:00 a.m. this morning.

For more on the 3A state tournament tune into Blake’s Take weekdays from 5-6 p.m. on KZNU Sports Radio – 96.7 FM 1450 AM – or online streaming live on the brand new KZNU Sports website: www.kznusports.com

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