With about 6.0 left on the clock, the Owensboro Thoroughbreds went up the floor as the game was tied 116-116. Corey Wilford received the pass and then drained a 3-pointer to put the Thoroughbreds up 119-116 with 0.9 left before the Condors missed an attempt at the other end before the buzzer.
The win sent the Owensboro Sportscenter crowd home happy as Wilford was excited to play in front of the fans again.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I was hoping we’d pack it all the way out, that didn’t happen but we’re thankful for everybody that came out here, showing us support. I know at times we didn’t look so good as a team but we got that win.”
The shot just before the buzzer wasn’t the first Wilford has had in his hoops career and certainly won’t be the last but when the game was on the line, he knew he had to step up.
“Give me the ball,” he said was his thought. “I’m never scared to take the big shot. I live with the miss just as much as I live with the make. I’m just never scared to take that shot.
Owensboro led 41-28 after the first but a strong second frame from the Condors make it 58-56 Thoroughbreds at the break.
After building a double-digit lead in the third, the Thoroughbreds led the Condors right back in the game until the game-winning shot in the closing seconds.
Former Murray State Racer Jaiveon Eaves led the Breds with 27 points while Wilford added 25. Darhius Nunn also had a big game with 20 points.
Cody Ballard finished with a game-high 42 points to lead Columbus.
Wilford said the team has big plans for this season and he thinks the community is going to like what they see.
“I want everybody to understand we have an amazing owner in Chris Allison,” he said. “Chris is doing everything in his power to make this work and he owns 5-6 teams in the TBL. He’s putting so much effort into making Owensboro stand out. We just want people to support him and we’re here to support the community. We hope the community does the same.”
Owensboro plays Sunday against at the Sportscenter against the Detroit Hustle.
