HALSTEAD, Kan. — When the Andale Indians needed a spark, they got it twice on Thursday night in a championship semifinal against Garden Plain in the 56th annual Adolph Rupp Invitational.
Sam Harp scored seven points in the first quarter for the Indians and then scored eight points in overtime, helping the Indians to a 50-45 victory over the Owls.
Harp’s spark off the bench got the Indians going, leading 12-2 after the first quarter. After Andale led 14-2, Garden Plain used a 7-0 run, helping the Owls cut the deficit to 16-13 at halftime. Garden Plain used a 16-9 third quarter to take a 29-25 lead heading into the fourth. Garden Plain led by as many as five in the fourth. Andale was able to take a 2-point lead at 39-37 after a 3-point play. Cooper Eck hit an off-balance shot that was counted as a 2-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, which forced an extra four minutes.
Cruz Kaiser hit his third 3-pointer halfway into the overtime period that gave Andale the lead for good. Andale went 8-for-10 at the free-throw line in the overtime session. Harp led the way for the Indians with 15, while Jack Horsch added 10. Eck led the way for Garden Plain with a game-high 20.
Andale (9-2) will play Cheney for the Rupp Invitational Championship at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Halstead. Cheney defeated Haven, 70-60. Haven and Garden Plain will play for third at 6 p.m. Friday.
