Tigers rally down stretch to top Lincoln

Green Forest senior guard Jay Pope held the game in his hands with 0.2 seconds remaining against Lincoln on Friday, Jan. 20.

And Pope delivered for the Tigers, calmly making two free throws to cap a frenzied finish and lift the Tigers to a 49-48 victory.

“He just stepped up there and knocked those two free throws down like it was nothing,” Green Forest coach Shane Compton said.

Green Forest trailed 42-37 with four minutes left but rallied to tie the game at 44 on a layup by Pope with 49.2 seconds remaining.

“We did everything we had to do to win it, for sure,” Compton said. “They didn’t give us anything.”

Lincoln answered with two free throws to go back in front 46-44, but Green Forest senior guard Tony Gonzalez hit a three-pointer from the right elbow with 11 seconds left that brought the home crowd to its feet and put the Tigers up 47-46.

“That was a big three,” Compton said. “That was both of our seniors stepping up there at the end of the ballgame. That was huge for those kids.”

Lincoln wasn’t done yet, however. The Wolves made two free throws with 8.2 seconds left to regain the lead. Green Forest then worked the ball to Pope who was fouled with just 0.2 seconds left.

Gonzalez scored 14 points to lead Green Forest (7-13, 2-5 3A-1), which trailed 27-20 at halftime but tied the score at the end of the third quarter.

Ali Cabrera added 11 points and Pope scored nine for the Tigers.

Compton said he hopes the victory can give Green Forest some momentum heading into the second half of conference play.

“We’ve been struggling, but hopefully this will give our guys a little confidence,” Compton said.

With a significant snowfall expected Tuesday, Green Forest moved its scheduled game at West Fork to Monday night, after deadline for this issue.