By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — As Woodstock entered the half during Tuesday’s game at Dressel Gymnasium holding a 17-point lead, it seemed all but certain they would complete the season sweep against Springfield after defeating the Cosmos by 28 points earlier this season.
Despite the daunting deficit, Springfield stayed within striking distance throughout the second half and scored the final 10 points of the game to come away with a 54-51 victory.
Woodstock torched the nets in the opening frame, draining six three-pointers while jumping out to a 24-18 edge by the end of the period. The Wasps cooled off from beyond the arc during the following frame, but they held the Cosmos to only a single score to enter the half with a 37-20 advantage.
Springfield chipped away at Woodstock’s lead during the third quarter, led by several impressive displays of athleticism around the hoop by junior forward Bradley Gallant. Gallant tallied eight points during the period to help cut Woodstock’s lead to 44-37 entering the final frame.
With the Wasps maintaining a seven-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, Springfield found the hot hand from deep over the final minutes. Oliver Kelley connected on a couple of deep threes and Jameer Cosby added another to bring Springfield within one with 1:43 remaining. With the Cosmos still trailing entering the final minute, Nick Wiese came through with a key steal that set up the go-ahead basket by Kelley with 51 seconds to play. The hosts proceeded to hold Woodstock scoreless the rest of the way and added a couple of free throws for good measure to secure the three-point victory.
Bradley Gallant (15), Oliver Kelley (14), and Jameer Cosby (13) each scored in double figures for Springfield (5-7). Elvis Lavallee led Woodstock (9-5) with 18 points and Aksel Oates added 14.
