Will Twardzik was the hero for Calumet on Thursday, splitting a pair of free throw attempts with no time left in the fourth quarter to lift the Copper Kings over Westwood 45-44 in West PAC action.
Westwood scored the first six points of the game before Calumet answered with an 8-0 run. The Patriots used a second 6-0 run to take a 12-10 lead after one quarter. The two teams went back-and-forth early in the second frame but Westwood ended the first half on a 10-3 run and led 30-21 at the break.
Westwood’s biggest lead was 12 points early in the third quarter but Calumet roared back to get within 36-32 heading to the fourth. Westwood’s Taylor Dellangelo made a layup to put the Pats up 44-41 with 53 seconds to play but Matt Ojala tied the game with a three-pointer moments later. A deadball foul with 30 seconds left gave Calumet possession and Twardzik was fouled as time expired while trying to tip in an offensive rebound. The officials ruled no time was to be put back on the clock and Twardzik’s first free throw clanged off the left side of the rim. His second shot, however, was nothing but net to give Calumet the victory.
Nathan Beckman knocked down five triples and led Westwood with 17 points while Blake Hewitt followed with eight. The Patriots fall to 11-7 and host Gladstone on Monday. The Westwood junior varsity team topped Calumet 66-24 earlier in the evening.