Hudson Roberts’ career-high 34-point performance powered Ozark to its first COC victory on the season, a 67-66 triumph versus Webb City on Friday.
Roberts needed only two free throws on his way to 34 points. The super soph was 13-of-18 from the field, including 6-of-8 accuracy from 3-point land.
His previous career-high was 28 points, which he reached twice.
The Tigers received 14 points and seven rebounds from Jace Whatley and 11 points and seven boards from Garrett Ballard.
The teams traded the lead 11 times and the score was tied on four occasions, before Ozark gained control while enjoying a 26-point third quarter.
The Tigers held as much as a 13-point lead, 48-35, midway through the third quarter, before holding off the Cardinals’ comeback bid.
Ozark shot 60 percent from the field in the second half and the Tigers outrebouned Webb City 31-24.
No rebound was bigger than Whatley’s offensive board with :03 remaining and the score tied at 66-all. He was fouled on the play and went on to make one free throw to provide the difference in the contest.
Webb City missed a shot to try to win at the buzzer.
Ozark outscored Webb City 16-7 from the free-throw line.
Webb City was led by Joe Adams’ 17 points and Barron Duda’s 14.
The Cardinals made good on 11-of-23 3-point attempts. A night earlier, Webb City's girls also made 11 3-pointers and also lost at Ozark.
Ozark (8-12 overall and 1-2 in the COC) has won four straight. Webb City (15-5 and 2-2) lost its first road game on the season.
Ozark 67, Webb City 66
WEBB CITY (66) — Adams 5 2-2 17, Pace 5 0-0 12, Keith 3 0-2 7, Duda 5 1-2 14, Jackson 1 2-4 4, Martin 5 2-2 12.
OZARK (67) — Whatley 4 6-8 14, Sutherland 0 2-4 2, Ballard 3 5-5 11, Roberts 13 2-5 34, Engel 1 0-0 3, Garner 1 1-2 3.
Webb City 10 14 22 20 - 66
Ozark 9 18 26 14 - 67
3-point goals - Roberts 6, Adams 5, Duda 3, Pace 2, Keith, Engel.
