COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. — An additional four minutes gave Cottage Grove (0-2) a chance to lift itself to a victory on its home opening night, but instead, that chance turned to defeat Friday as the Lions fell to Scio (1-1) 62-56.
Lions point guard Tai Lam left the gym having scored 16 points. His biggest shot was a hit from long range in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter to even the game up at 54-54.
This was the final field goal Cottage Grove would score for the remainder of the game and throughout overtime. The Lions were outscored 8-2 by the Loggers in the extra frame, recording their pair of points on two free throws, the first and last points of the period.
“We never quit. Tai hit a big shot to send it into overtime and give us another shot,” head coach Seth Hutchinson said. “But, in overtime, we couldn't execute, and weren’t disciplined enough and didn't capitalise on opportunities.”
The game never got too far out of the grasp of either side. The final score of plus-6 for Scio was its largest of the night.
Cottage Grove led by as many as eight at one point, ahead 20-12 in the second quarter. The Lions led heading into the locker room at 24-20.
Despite the loss, forward Trevor Cooper was uber-efficient on the floor, racking up a game-leading 27 points and two emphatic blocks.
“The tape’s out on him. That's the thing, teams know that he's the guy we're gonna go to, and he is,” Hutchinson said. “He's tough. He rebounds the ball really well, he catches the ball, he gets to two feet, and he's tough around the rim."
It was a tough night to shoot jump shots for both sides. The Lions knocked down four 3-point baskets, three from Lam and one from forward Ethan Valdez, who scored five points before fouling out.
A different method of attack for a Lions team that in 2024-25 shot the ball a ton from beyond the arc.
“I think those shots will come as the team starts to see Trevor a little bit more and see what we're trying to do. I mean, credit to both these teams, Newport and Scio,” Hutchinson said. “They've really recovered well, and they get out, and they force you to throw it inside, and they've recovered on 3-point shooters pretty well.”
Cottage Grove, still in search of its first win of the season, will get its next opportunity Dec. 9 when the Sweet Home Huskies (1-1) roll into town for a 7:15 p.m. tipoff.
