Estancia Bear Matthew Hibbs loses the handle on the basketball and Rattler Jantzen Darnell drops on the loose ball during Tuesday night's game at the Snake Pit.

By Thomas Garcia
Quay County Sun
Rattler Jantzen Darnell’s  three point shot went in and out of the rim as the buzzer sounded, ending overtime.
“We need to learn to finish games we have not won,” said Rattlers head coach John Span.
The Rattlers held an eight-point lead over the Estancia Bears until late in the final period.
The Bears made 9 out of 13 free throws in the final period. They outscored the Rattlers 15-8 to force a tie.
“The guys were getting frustrated and I had to switch things up,” said Bears head coach Robert McCaskill.
The Rattlers began to rush their plays, resulting in loose balls which the Bears took advantage of to close the gap.
“For some reason, the guys got excited and began to rush themselves,” Span said.
Darnell was fouled as time expired and was sent to the line with his first chance to seal the win for the Rattlers. Darnell missed both free throws, sending the game into overtime.
Free throws were the difference in the game as the Rattlers were 9-27 (30 percent) and the Bears were 14-28 (50 percent) from the line.
“You simply have to step to the line and hit those free throws,” Span said.
Game leaders
Rattlers
Dalton Wood:  13 points
Jakus Martinez: 11 points
Bears
Desmond Padilla: 22 points
Lawrence Chavez:  6 points
The Rattlers’ next game is at 4:30 p.m., Thursday against the Robertson Cardinals at the Snake Pit.