GRAHAMSVILLE -- Lead changes and clutch foul shooting were the storylines in the Tri-Valley-Fallsburg boys game won by the Bears 50-46 Friday night in Grahamsville.

The Comets (2-5, 0-3 OCIAA) took control of the game in the first quarter racing out to a 11-2 lead before Tri-Valley's Austin Delaney swished the nets for a three-pointer at the 3:58 mark.

The Bears (5-2, 1-1 OCIAA) tightened their defense the remaining minutes of the first quarter as Fallsburg hung on to take a one-point 13-12 lead.

Tri-Valley dominated the second quarter of play outscoring Fallsburg 14-3 off the six point scoring (three two-pointers) by Thomas Lynch. Fallsburg's only score was a trey by Eugene Johnson. The Bears took a 10-point 26-16 halftime lead.

Tri-Valley extended their lead to 13 points (37-24) halfway through the third quarter as both teams scored 15 points, giving the Bears a 10-point 46-36 third quarter lead.

What looked like an easy win for Tri-Valley turned into another nail biter. At the 3:44 mark the score clock read 44-35, but the Comets turned up the speed of the game and swished the nets for 10 points as cold shooting by the Bears netted only six points.

With 16.6 seconds on the clock Tri-Valley held onto a one point 47-46 lead and foul shots then took control of the game.

Tri-Valley's Ethan Shaver sank two foul shots giving the Bears a two-point 48-46 lead and with 0.7 seconds Tri-Valley's Andrew Cox added two foul shots giving Tri-Valley the 50-46 win.

In the turnover department Fallsburg committed 22 to Tri-Valley's 15.

Austin Delaney led Tri-Valley in scoring with 16 points off two treys and five two-pointers. Thomas Lynch added 12 points off five deuces and two foul shots.

Raymond Thompson hit for 14 points for Fallsburg scoring on two three-pointers and four deuces. Dereck Williams added 12 points for the Comets off four two pointers and four foul shots.

Tri-Valley Coach Kevin Delaney noted in post game remarks, “We started off slowly but bounced back quickly and we're still trying to figure how to put games away when we have a lead.”

“They sped the game up on us in the fourth and they have good athleticism,” Delaney added.

Fallsburg Coach Lionel White pointed out, “That we had a chance of coming back but we just couldn't finish the job.”

“Tri-Valley did great in closing the game out and I'm very happy the way our boys fought back,” White said.