GRAHAMSVILLE -- Four fourth quarter tie scores were broken with 8.9 seconds on the clock by Liberty's Kymanni Dennis who stole a Tri-Valley pass in open court and raced to the hoop to score the winning layup that sealed Liberty's 47-45 win Wednesday night in Grahamsville.

This game was up for grabs throughout the 32 minutes of play as Liberty led 13-7 in the first quarter, 21-19 at the half and 32-29 at the end of the third quarter.

Then came the fourth quarter, and at 6:05 on the clock the Bears tied the game at 34-34.

Both teams exchanged baskets and Tri-Valley again tied the game at 39-39 at 3:59 and again at 2:44 with the score at 43-43.

With the clock steadily ticking away Tri-Valley's magic struck again with the clock at 25.4 seconds as the Bears tied the score at 45-45.

Then came the errant Tri-Valley pass that was picked off by Dennis who had no one between him and the winning hoop.

The non-league Indians' win was the first game of the year for both teams.

Chris Bayer was the leading scorer for Liberty with 16 points off three treys, three two pointers and one foul shot. Dennis added 11 points for Liberty off five two pointers and a foul shot.

For Tri-Valley, Andrew Cox took scoring honors with 13 points off three treys and two two-pointers. Thomas Lynch added nine points for the Bears.

Winning coach Michael Burke, starting his first year as Liberty Varsity Boys basketball coach, in post game remarks said, “We came out real slow in the first half but picked it up with better defense in the second half. I did not expect this close of a game.”

Tri-Valley coach Kevin Delaney when asked what he takes from a game like this said, “It's good to play a bigger school early in the season and we played well and we will work out the kinks. Liberty was very big and athletic," Delaney said.