Country Day stages stirring comeback to edge Jesuit in overtime

METAIRIE – The oldest axiom in sports was on full display Tuesday night at Patrick Gymnasium.

It’s not over until it’s over.

That was clearly in evidence for the home team.

Another axiom was applicable as well.

It is sometimes better to be lucky than good.

Country Day was good and lucky on this night.

The Cajuns staged a stirring fourth quarter comeback before overcoming Jesuit 70-68 in overtime in the quarterfinals of the Country Day Classic.

Evan Nunez banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer in regulation to tie the game at 59-59 to force overtime.

In the extra period, Andrew Nelson scored five points while Jordan Trahan added four as Country Day built a seven point lead and held on for the win.

The Cajuns trailed 45-33 going to the fourth quarter. That is when they turned it on.

Country Day opened the quarter on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 45-41 and had another 7-0 run to pull within 49-48. The Cajuns actually took a 53-52 lead on a 3-pointer by Nunez but Jesuit responsed as Michael Britsch hit a clutch 3-pointer and a pair of clutch free throws.

With time running out, Nunez got the ball 24 feet away and banked in the game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, setting the stage for overtime.

Jesuit missed three free throws in the extra period and that would prove fatal.

Country Day started fast, taking a 10-4 lead and closed the first quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 17-11 lead behind seven points by Jordan Trahan.

The lead grew to 19-12 and the Cajuns led 21-16 when Trahan picked up his third foul and had to go to the bench at the 5:21 mark of the second quarter with nine points.

Without Jordan in the game, Jesuit took total control, outscoring Country Day 13-0 without Trahan to close the half to take a 29-21 lead at the break. Matthew Knight caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 11 points for the Blue Jays, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Jesuit extended its lead to 45-33 going to the fourth quarter.

Jordan Trahan led the Cajuns with 22 points and seven rebounds despite fouling out in overtime. Nunez finished with 17 points and four assists. Nelson contributed eight points. Matthew Knight led the Blue Jays (9-6) with 22 points while Britsch finished with 15 points and Jack Lo had 13 points, six assists and four rebounds.

Country Day (7-4)) advances to face Catholic of Baton Rouge in the semifinals Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Catholic edged Hahnville 54-51.

FINAL
JES 11 18 16 14 9 — 68
CD 17 4 12 26 11 — 70

Scoring:
JES—Matthew Knight 22, Michael Britsch 15, Jasper Parker 5, Will Sheridan 4, Jace Laforge 4, Brock Guillot 3, Vincent Smith 2

CD—Jordan Trahan 22, Evan Nunez 17, Andrew Nelson 8, Connor Trahan 7, Maddox Moss 7, Phillip Antis 3, Jake Ibieta 2

Rebounds:
JES 20, CD 27

Turnovers:
JES 17, CD 17

COUNTRY DAY CLASSIC SCORES AND SCHEDULE

Tuesday Results:

John Curtis 67

Booker T. Washington 61

Kennedy 47

St. Louis Catholic 35

Rummel 49

McDonogh 35 47

Northlake Christian 71

E. Iberville 49

Catholic 54

Hahnville 51

Karr 52

Brother Martin 32

Country Day 70

Jesuit 68 OT

St. Thomas More 73

Sophie B. Wright 51

Wednesday’s Game Schedule

9:00am Booker T. Washington vs St. Louis Catholic

10:30am McDonogh 35 vs E.Iberville

12:00pm Brother Martin vs. Sophie B. Wright

1:30pm Jesuit vs. Hahnville

3:00pm Northlake Christian vs. Rummel

4:30pm John Curtis vs. Kennedy

6:00pm Karr vs. St. Thomas More

7:30pm Country Day vs. Catholic BR.