O'Neill Holds On To Beat Neligh-Oakdale In Thriller

It was the match up that O'Neill basketball fans were anxiously awaiting all week.

After an ice storm delayed the original date between the Eagles and Neligh-Oakdale, fans got 32 minutes of excitement when they two teams clashed Thursday night.

Neither team was able to gain much separation from the other, with the two teams trading blows all night. At the halftime break, the Warriors trailed 33-26. They eventually powered back, with the game coming down to a Neligh-Oakdale possession in the final seconds. Tyson Belitz drove to the hoop, looking to draw a foul and get to the line to tie up the game. Unfortunately for the Warriors, he was unsuccesful in his quest and, despite an Austin Rice put back after Belitz's miss, the Warriors fell to O'Neill 60-59. 

Tyler Regan led the way with 21 points, dominating the low post. He led all players with six rebounds and dished out an assist as well. Despite fouling out late in the game, Alex Thramer finished with 13 points and five boards. Justin Appleby and Jake Young added 10 points each.

In the earlier match up, the Lady Warriors hoped to upset the O'Neill girls, battling hard but eventually allowing the Eagles to pull away on free throws in a 64-46 loss. The Eagles led 25-21 at the halftime break and the game was as close as two points in the third and fourth quarters.

Individual statistics will be added as they become available.