• Photo Showcase: Prep basketball, Feb. 10

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A member of Omaha Bryan's supporting cast played a lead role in Friday's game with Omaha South.

Junior Juwan Bufford scored six points in overtime and hit two clutch free throws to lift the Top 10 No. 7 Bears to a 54-52 victory over the No. 4 Packers at Bryan.

Bufford entered the night averaging just over four points per game. The senior trio of Ethan Montalvo, Joe Imig and Jake Maslo has done most of the damage for the Bears this year, combining for 40 points per night.

But this night, and the overtime, belonged to Bufford.

“Juwan's been there all year for us, as both a starter and off the bench, so he has the experience,” Bryan coach Tim Cannon said. “We've got to have that wingman, and it's good to see someone willing to step up and take big shots.”

Bufford's biggest shot came midway through overtime when his 3-pointer gave Bryan a 49-46 lead with 2:41 remaining.

“You have to have confidence in your shot and just follow through,” Bufford said.

South hung tough and tied the game at 52-all on two Treston Mayo free throws with 29.8 seconds left.

Bryan burned more than 20 seconds before Montalvo drove and found Bufford open on the wing. Bufford drove to the basket, where he was fouled with 3.2 seconds left.

The call didn't seem to go over well with South coach Bruce Chubick, who declined to comment after the game.

Bufford sank both free throws, and Bryan iced the game by stealing a pass at midcourt as time expired.

It was another close win for the Bears (15-6), who have had a propensity for pulling games out in the closing minutes.

“We've had a lot of games just like this one, and I'm proud that our guys have been able to play so tough in the close games,” Cannon said.

South's pressure held Montalvo to just a single shot in the first half and held both him and Maslo scoreless.

But Imig's 12 first-half points, along with help from Bufford, Garyn Spurlock and Jimma Lew, helped Bryan build 26-20 lead by the break.

Montalvo and Maslo finally got going in the third quarter, combining for 11 points as Bryan managed a 39-34 lead entering the fourth.

South tied the game four times in the fourth quarter, but could never take the lead. The final tie came when Cameron Williams hit two free throws with 46 seconds left, evening the game at 46-all.

Imig had 14 points to lead the Bears while Montalvo had 11 and Bufford added 10. Williams had 16 points and Bobby Lage 13 points for the Packers (13-8).

Omaha South (13-8) ............ 14 6 14 12 6—52
Omaha Bryan (15-6) ........... 14 12 13 7 8—54

OS: Bobby Lage 13; Tyler Hall 5; Cameron Williams 16; Treston Mayo 5; James Dumes 9; Kevin Harkins 4.

OB: Ethan Montalvo 11; Joe Imig 14; Jake Maslo 6; Juwan Bufford 10; Jimma Lew 5; Garyn Spurlock 4; Sergio Avalos 2; Caleb Thurston 2.