Can Bison rebound vs. Badgers tonight after narrow defeat?

Thursday, January 30, 2025
McCook junior Trey Tiller (2) aims to send a pass between two Gothenburg Swedes during Tuesday night’s Southwest Conference tournament game in McCook. The Bison play Valentine today at 5:30 p.m. in Gothenburg.
Maryann Kassner/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. ­— McCook’s recent habit of last-second and overtime thrillers finally bit the Bison on Tuesday.

Granted, junior Miles Pollmann’s buzzer three-pointer capped what was easily the most entertaining Southwest Conference quarterfinal of this night.

Consider, the four games featured a 61-point margin — but McCook was on the wrong end of that one as Gothenburg held on to win 69-68.

The No. 5-seed Swedes (9-6 record) avenged an overtime loss on McCook’s home floor earlier this month.

Sophomore Kooper Rakes made a literal buzzer-beating layup to force OT in that first matchup where McCook rallied.

On Tuesday, the Swedes trailed 58-53 with less than three minutes remaining but unleashed three huge “traditional” three-point plays.

The first made it 58-56 then another put G-Burg ahead 60-58.

McCook stayed within striking range especially when senior Jon Patel posted up, spun and split through two Swedes to score.

The Bison only trailed 64-63 after Patel’s clutch basket.

McCook even blocked the Swedes’ ensuing inside shot.

They deserve credit for quickly regaining the ball and scoring anyway while McCook committed a crushing foul. An ensuing free throw made it 67-63.

The Swedes even survived a final foul because McCook missed two free throws. They added another pair before Rakes’ bank shot brought the Bison again within four at 69-65.

Patel soon stole an overthrown Swedes pass, but McCook missed its last best shot at advancing into Friday night’s SWC semifinals.

Pollmann’s three only made it a one-point game as the buzzer sounded.

Gothenburg will meet No. 1-seed Ogallala Friday while the No. 4-seed Bison (12-5) meet No. 8 Valentine (8-9) in consolation play today at Gothenburg. Tip time is set for 5:30 p.m.

McCook featured four double-figure scorers with senior Andrew Pochop putting down 15.

Tied 25-25, Pochop weaved through to make a left-handed shot and start McCook’s 10-2 run.

Brody Graham’s running basket and a Trey Tiller baseline jumper made it 32-25.

Following a Swede hoop, sophomore Tripp Raile’s trifecta gave McCook the biggest lead all game of 35-27.

However, Gothenburg scored the first half’s final five points which led into a tight final two quarters.

Tiller popped two more triples for 43-42 and 47-46 leads — yet the Swedes always answered.

McCOOK (68) — Andrew Pochop 15 points, Tripp Raile 15, Jonathan Patel 12, Trey Tiller 12, Kooper Rakes 7, Brody Graham 4, Miles Pollmann 3. Three-pointers: Trey Tiller 3, Tripp Raile 3, Pollmann.

Rebound leaders: Jonathan Patel 10, Pochop 6, Graham 5, Raile 5, Rakes 4.

Assists: Brody Graham 4, Raile 3, Pochop 2, Tiller 2.

Steals: Tripp Raile 3; three others with 1. Deflections: Kooper Rakes 3. Blocked shots: Bryson Gullion, Brody Graham.

GOTHENBURG (69) — Landon Mroczek finished 15 points, Jackson Scwhwarz 14 and Kash Koehn 13.

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