Both the Hillmen and Flying Arrows were looking for their first conference win of the season when the two teams met last Friday night in Platteville for a Southwest Wisconsin Conference boys’ basketball contest.

As expected, the outcome wasn’t decided until the final seconds of the game, where Platteville hung on for a 42-38 victory over winless Lancaster.

The loss dropped coach Justin Burress’ squad to 0-4 in league play and 0-8 overall, while Platteville improved to 1-3, 6-5.

Last Friday night’s game featured 11 lead changes and six ties, and other than a 7-2 lead early in the game, Lancaster’s biggest advantage was at 26-22 midway through the third quarter.

Platteville’s largest lead came early in the second quarter when a basket by Kevin Wruble gave the Hillmen an 11-7 advantage, and completed a 9-0 scoring run.

Following a crucial 3-pointer by Wruble to end the third quarter, Platteville took a 32-30 lead into the fourth quarter.

After exchanging baskets, two free throws by Lancaster senior Winston Zenz gave the Arrows a 38-35 lead with 2:31 to play in the game. Unfortunately for the Arrows, they did not score another point the rest of the way.

Platteville’s Adam Brogley made a shot to pull his team within 38-37 with 1:57 to play, then Wruble knocked down another huge 3-pointer with 59 seconds on the clock to give the Hillmen a 40-38 advantage.

With 33.6 seconds to play in the game and Lancaster trailing 40-38, a pass from Brett Snider to Andy Ryan went out of bounds untouched, giving the ball back over to the Hillmen.

With 22.2 seconds to play, Platteville’s Nick Tashner gave his team a four-point lead, 42-38, by knocking down two free throws.

Lancaster’s Zach Hentrich then attempted a long 3-point shot, which was rebounded by Platteville’s Derek Schambow with 11.3 seconds to play in the game.

Schambow missed the front end of the bonus try, but Lancaster was unable to cut into their deficit in the final seconds.

On the night, Lancaster made 13-of-43 (30%) field goal attempts, including 2-of-12 (17%) from downtown.

They were a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line, committed 20 turnovers and came away with nine team steals.

Sophomore Brett Snider led the team with 13 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals, while fellow sophomore Nathan Tranel added 10 points, four rebounds and one steals in his first game of the season.

This past Monday night, Lancaster collected its first win of the season, beating host Boscobel, 67-54.

The Arrows put together their best scoring performance of the year, which led to a 37-29 halftime lead.

Going into the fourth quarter, coach Burress’ squad held a 49-37 advantage, but the Bulldogs opened the fourth with an 8-0 run to pull within 49-45 with 6:30 to play in the game.

A made basket by Nathan Tranel gave Lancaster a 55-48 lead with 3:20 to play, and two-free throws by Brett Snider made it 57-48 with just 2:47 to play.

Snider would go on to make two more free throws, giving Lancaster a 59-49 lead with 2:31 to play, while Kile Jerrett followed with a 3-point play to put the Arrows up 62-49 with 2:14 on the clock.

On the night, Lancaster made 25-of-43 (58%) field goal attempts, including 3-of-10 (30%) from downtown.

They made 14-of-25 (56%) free throw attempts, committed 17 turnovers and came away with 10 steals.

“We played hard, smart, and together, which is what I have been waiting for and expecting all season,” said coach Burress of Monday’s win.

“Many of our losses this season came from the inability to close out games. This win boosts confidence and proves we can finish down the stretch,” Burress added.

Brett Snider led the way with 14 points, six boards, two assists and two steals, while Kile Jerrett added 14 point and Winston Zenz 12.

Hunter Budack pulled down a team-high six rebounds to go along with two steals and two points.

The Arrows (0-4, 1-8) host Dodgeville (2-2, 7-2) this Thursday night, then travel to Barneveld (3-0, 5-4) on Monday.

Platteville 42,
Lancaster 38
(from Friday, Jan. 4)
Lancaster    7    10    13    8 - 38
Platteville    6    10    16    10 - 42
Lancaster - Brett Snider 13, Nathan Tranel 10, Winston Zenz 4, Tyler Glass 4, Zach Hentrich 3, Hunter Budack 2, Kile Jerrett 2. Totals - 13-43 10-10 38
Platteville - Nick Tashner 15, Adam Brogley 10, Kevin Wruble 8, Tanner Ames 5, Blake Wagner 2, Derek Schambow 2. Totals 15 9-13 42.
3-point goals - L: Brett Snider 1, Hentrich 1, P: Tashner 1, Wruble 2. Team fouls - L: 16, P: n/a. Fouled out - None.

Lancaster 67, Boscobel 54
(from Monday, Jan. 7)
Lancaster    20    17    12    18 - 67
Boscobel    13    16    8    17 - 54
Lancaster - Zach Hentrich 9, A.J. Day 8, Kile Jerrett 14, Brett Snider 14, Winston Zenz 12, Hunter Budack 2, Nathan Tranel 6, Brock Snider 2. Totals - 25 43 14-25 67.
Boscobel - Folbrecht 11, Bell 5, Clift 4, Mathew 7, Wacker 12, Monroe 11, Latham 4. Totals 19 11-17 54.
3-point goals - L: Day 1, Hentrich 1, Jerrett 1, B: Folbrecht 1, Bell 1, Monroe 3. Team fouls - L: 21, B: 24. Fouled out - None.