TALIHINA — The Roland Runnin’ Rangers were slated to play for the championship of the Choctaw Nation Invitation Tournament on Monday night at Talihina High School’s Chris Gillespie Court at Ray Henson Gymnasium.
The Runnin’ Rangers reached the finals with a 85-57 win over Mena, Ark., in Friday afternoon’s opening-round game, then downed Poteau 63-51 in Saturday evening’s championship semifinals. Roland was scheduled to meet Pocola for the tournament championship.
The Lady Rangers were slated to play for third place Monday afternoon for third place after splitting their first two games of the tournament, beating Mena 64-23 in Friday’s opening- round game but losing 55-43 to Broken Bow in Saturday afternoon’s championship semifinals.
In the boys’ championship semifinals, trailing 14-10 after a quarter, the Runnin’ Rangers (40) outscored the Pirates 53-37 over the final three periods to get the come-from-behind victory.
For the game, Damonte “Bubba” Owens led all scorers with a game-high 22 points, followed by Raidyn Knight 14 points, Landon Fowler with 12 points, Mason Kemp with eight points, Tae Smith with three points and Cason Perryman and Kade Shook with two points apiece.
In the boys’ openinground victory, the Runnin’ Rangers led 20-12 after a quarter, 43-29 at halftime and 66-43 after three periods.
Knight and Owens led Roland with a gamehigh 21 points apiece. Kemp scored 19 points, followed by Shook and Fowler with six points each, Perryman and Bryson Myers each with four points and Smith and Paul Johnson with two points apiece.
In the girls’ championship semifinals, trailing 36-35 after three quarters, the Lady Savages outscored the Lady Rangers 20-7 in the final period to earn the comeback win.
In defeat, Halle Freeman and Ryanne Nelke each scored 17 points to lead Roland, followed by Lillian Cole with five points and Molly Carver with four points.
In the girls’ openinground victory, the Lady Rangers put the game away early, jumping out to a 23-11 lead after a period, which became a 49-17 halftime advantage and a 60-18 lead after three quarters.
For the game, Nelke led all scorers with a game-high 28 points for Roland, followed by Carver with 17 points, Freeman with 14 points, Cole with three points and Payton Sampley and Laynie Roedenbeck with two points apiece.
