Balanced Attack, Clutch Plays Lift Otero College Past Western Nebraska, 84-82
Otero College used timely 3-point shooting and a series of clutch defensive stops to edge Western Nebraska 84-82 in men's basketball action Saturday night in La Junta, Colo., capped by a late steal from sophomore forward Nedum Chiadika and closing free throws from sophomore guard Marquise Allen.
Allen led the Rattlers' balanced attack with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals while going 4-for-5 from 3-point range. Freshman wing Kaylan Graham added 16 points, 7 assists and 4 steals, and Chiadika finished just shy of a double-double with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals as Otero outlasted a Western Nebraska side that repeatedly answered runs and kept the game in doubt until the final seconds.
Western Nebraska controlled much of the opening 10 minutes, building a 28-20 lead with 10:38 left in the first half on a 3-pointer by Noah Jones. Otero responded with a decisive 18-4 run over the next eight minutes to flip the game, seizing a 38-32 advantage with 3:07 remaining in the half. The surge was fueled by perimeter shooting, as Jayson Lewis, Graham, Cole Corner and Allen all connected from beyond the arc, while Chiadika and Bertran Walthour Jr. scored inside to give the Rattlers their first extended lead.
Western Nebraska battled back to pull even at 40-40 late in the half, but Allen buried another 3-pointer with 28 seconds remaining to send Otero into the locker room with a 43-40 edge. The opening minutes of the second half were a back-and-forth affair, with neither side leading by more than two until Allen created separation again, knocking down a step-back 3 to give the Rattlers a 52-49 lead. From there, Otero steadily built momentum, outscoring Western Nebraska 21-12 over the next eight minutes.
That key stretch was punctuated by one of the game's defining sequences. With Otero clinging to control, Tamir Anderson drilled a 3-pointer, and on the ensuing possession Chiadika jumped a passing lane for a steal and converted an and-one in transition. The five-point burst pushed the margin to 73-61 with 7:16 left, completing the 21-12 run and giving the Rattlers their largest lead of the night.
Western Nebraska refused to fold, answering with a 12-3 run to trim the deficit to 76-73 with 4:26 remaining. Graham then delivered a critical response, scoring five straight points to nudge the Rattlers back to an 81-73 advantage at the 3:38 mark. The Cougars mounted one final charge, stringing together a 6-0 spurt making it a one-possession game at 82-79 in the closing seconds.
With Western Nebraska pressing for a potential game tying basket, Otero's defense produced the decisive play. Chiadika came up with a clutch steal with 13 seconds remaining, and Allen calmly stepped to the line to convert free throws and secure the 84-82 victory. Behind a balanced offensive effort, four double-figure contributors and timely stops, the Rattlers closed out the high-pressure conference contest to earn a crucial win in the conference playoff race. The Rattlers continue their four game homestand with a matchup against Southeast CC on Friday night at 7pm, and a rivalry matchup with Lamar at 3pm on Saturday the 31st.