From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

WASHBURN, Mo. — Kevin O’Keefe’s basket with one second remaining lifted McAuley Catholic past Southwest 54-52 Friday night in an Ozark 7 Conference basketball game in the Trojans’ gymnasium.

O’Keefe and Rocky Spry tallied 20 and 19 points, respectively, for the Warriors (2-3, 1-1 Ozark 7), who led 31-23 at halftime. The Trojans whittled the deficit to 44-39 entering the final period and had the game tied at 52 before O’Keefe drove the baseline and hit his short, floating jumper.

Levi Roberts netted 19 points for Southwest (2-3, 0-1), and Austin Rettman popped in five 3-point goals while scoring 17.

Cavaliers win first

Despite a scoreless second quarter that left the Thomas Jefferson girls trailing 16-8 at halftime, the Cavaliers outscored visiting Golden City 9-4 in the third and fourth periods to seal a 26-24 win.

“We came out in the second half and turned up our defensive pressure,” said Thomas Jefferson coach Chris Myers. “The story of the game is free throws, as we hit 8 of 10 the second half and 10 of 12 for the game.”

The Cavaliers, winning their first game in four outings, took a one-point lead with about two minutes left and, then, leading 26-24 with 12 seconds remaining, turned the ball over.

“Our defense stopped them but they did get a long shot off,” Myers said.

Cheyenne Hill scored 14 points to lead Thomas Jefferson and was the only player for either team to score in double figures.

Cristin Shrum led Golden City with 9 points.

The Cavaliers will open conference play Tuesday when they host Wheaton at 6 p.m.

Freshman keys Cavs

Freshman Alex Oserowsky pumped in 27 points to spark the Thomas Jefferson boys to a 50-35 win against visiting Golden City.