Tough defense and patience offense enabled the Bettendorf boys basketball team to upset sixth ranked Pleasant Valley 25-23 in MAC action Friday night (Feb. 2).
A last second shot to tie the contest by the Spartans' Seth Hamilton was hard off the back iron as time expired.
The game was tied 5-5 after the first quarter, and Bettendorf led 11-10 at halftime. The Spartans came out in the third period to take a 16-11 lead, but after a quick time-out, Bettendorf regrouped to regain the lead.
After three periods, the Bulldog were on top 17-16.
Pleasant Valley had a chance to take the lead with two freethrows with 20 seconds left to play, but both were off the mark and the Spartans fouled Bulldog Nick Thompson. Thompson made one of two freethrows to give Bettendorf a two-point lead with two seconds on the clock. A length-of-the-court pass to Hamilton was successful, but his shot was off the mark.
In the varsity girls contest, Pleasant Valley rallied from a four-point fourth period deficit to win going away 51-44.
Pleasant Valley center Sarah Thompson took control in the final minutes converting five freethrows while controlling the boards.
