So close, but not quite there.
Mentor coach Bob Krizancic could do without double overtime for a while after his team lost for the second time this season in extra, extra sessions. The Cardinals rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, only to fall to David Crockett, 82-79, at the Arby's Classic on Dec. 26 in Tennessee.
The loss ended a 5-game winning streak for Mentor, which also lost in double overtime to start the year to Brunswick.
The Cardinals will play Dobbins-Bennett on Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the second round of the Arby's Classic.
"We lost in double overtime for the second time this season, and we know we could be 7-0 very easily with a few plays here or there, but we are 5-2 and it is what it is," Krizancic said.
"We are young and learning in big games that is just a few plays and a little more execution we need to finish games like this. There were plusses and positives, now we need two great days of practice and try to win the next three games in the tournament and come home 8-2. That's all the focus."
Jack Korsok had 23 points and six rebounds to lead the Cardinals, who had a chance to win with 4 seconds left in regulation. Sophomore Tadas Taturanas scored 12 points and grabbed14 rebounds, and Allen Sims added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Mentor.
"We played hard and we hit the boards well, but we need to shoot free throws better and put games like this away," Krizancic said.
Patrick Good scored 35 points for David Crockett, who led, 61-51, in the fourth quarter before Mentor rallied to force overtime.
"The coach's son had 35 and really hurt us. Any time a coach's son has the ball in his hands, you know he is going to know the game well and be tough to play against," Krizancic said.
