Late First Half Run Lifts Lander Over Wheatland [VIDEO]

Video highlights of the Saturday, December 21st, 3A Boys Basketball game, between Wheatland vs. #2 Lander, played in Douglas.

Scroll down to see highlights!

The Tigers would go on a 16-2 run to close out the first half, and kept their distance from the Bulldogs.

Uh-uh...uh-uh...not at the game! That ranks right up there with book reading fan...and over the years, I've gotten on them too!

Wheatland vs. #2 Lander...this game being played at Douglas...first quarter...Lander wearing the white...and off to a fast start...Jackson Hedges is ahead of everyone, and lays in the first points of the game, to get the scoring started for his squad.

The opposition had some quick moves themselves...Braxten Fagenbush with a drive and bucket...that would get Wheatland on the board, and tie this game up at 2-points a-piece.

They were finding ways to get around the defense...even if it meant taking the long way...Braden Douglas had to do just that, but it got him the points...as the Bulldogs would go ahead, 4-to-2.

At times, they were playing tight defense...but when you double team one player...that means someone else is open...for the Tigers...it was Jess Oldham and that was a pretty easy 2, once he got the ball...we're deadlocked again...it's 4-4.

The boys in black would then do what they do best...make it rain with 3's...Douglas knows his role and played it perfectly...he has his boys back up 7-to-4.

Wheatland made this highlight look like a dog walk...Kendrick Jackson...gives it up...gets it back...and he had a clear path to the hoop...they were having fun for the moment...the score is now 9-to-4.

But Lander kept hanging around...you'll see this guy a few times...Hunter Bregar...drives...shoots from about 10 feet and gets it to go ahead of the buzzer...and they were right back in this one...trailing 12-to-11, after the first 8 minutes.

2nd quarter...the Bulldogs would find themselves trailing briefly, but it did not stay that way for long...Fagenbush is the corner...and he likes to be left alone...he does his best work that way sometimes...the 3 has his team back on top 15-to-13.

They would try to build on it...Austin Huffer catches the fast pass...hoop and the foul...no good on the extra try but the boys in black are now up 17-13.

The Tigers meanwhile were just looking for opportunities to pounce...Cooxooeii Black was standing in the middle of the defense and that's where he wanted to be...2 points, and he gets the call...they are within striking distance, down 18-15.

Wheatland had a new trick to show off...or rather...Fagenbush did...check out the moves as he'll get the 2 points...too bad they don't give points for slick moves...he has his boys leading 20-to-16.

That was an important moment of the game...because then Lander got their act together...Oldham is going to come in and score at the last moment...that was 2 of his 13, and now they are only down 20-to-18.

Then things were getting a little wild...but they like it that way...Black stops, pops and hits from 10 feet...he led all scorers with 17 and we're tied once more at 20-all.

...and ties are meant to be broken...this is Casey Winger from roughly the same spot...it was getting the job done...the Tigers now lead 22-20.

They were also taking a page out of their opponents play-book...Oldham...anything you can do...he can do as well...the 3 would make this a 5-point game...now it's 25-to-20.

That got other guys to score as well..here's Marvin Aragon adding to the cause...Lander was making a move...now ahead 27-to-20.

The team-work was starting to pay off...Bregar was in a jam, but Black would come down the baseline to bail him out and get 2 more points for his team...the scoreboard reads, 29-to-22.

Time is winding down...but there was enough to get one more play in...Bregar...he wants to make a deposit at the bank and gets 3 in return, with a few seconds to go...the Tigers would close the half on a 16-to-2 run ...and led 32-to-22 going into the locker room.

3rd quarter...Wheatland had to get themselves out of the doghouse...big time...Jackson with a nice drive and underhand finish...he also had 18 points, but his team is down 32-to-24.

But Lander was sharpening their claws...they find Hedges and he finds 2 more of his 13...the lead is at 12...now 36-to-24.

On the other end...Jackson was trying to get his team back into this one...keep an eye on him...he's a junior...but he could not do it all himself...he did on this one...now the Bulldogs trail 36-26.

At times the opposition was just too fast...Winger is going to go right by a defender and lay in another bucket...to push the score up to 38-26.

As for the boys in black...they needed some points in bunches...Jackson...and this shot was smooth and worth 3 points...the deficit is back into single digits, now 38-to-29.

However that was the last time this game was that close...that is if you consider 9 points to be close...Black misses the dunk, but Hedges was there to clean up the mess...and 1...the 3 point play had Lander leading, 43-to-31.

Wheatland was in trouble and they knew it...someone had to get loose from their chain...Critter Ruwart will bury a 3-ball in the side pocket...that helped some, but his squad still trails, 47-to-36.

On the other side...if we're showing Bregar again...that must mean time is almost up...I wonder what he's going to do? Step up to the line and knock down a 3 at the buzzer...that's what! The Tigers had the momentum...up 50-to-38, going into the final 8 minutes.

4th quarter...the Bulldogs tried some plays from earlier in the game...Douglas will go around and get his next basket...he contributed with 12, and the boys in black trail by that much...it's 52-to-40.

The opposition was not letting up...they were still firing on all cylinders...Black is going to get a friendly bounce and drop to prove my point...to put his team ahead 54-to-40.

It was a good effort by Wheatland...but that run before halftime is what did them in...we'll give Jackson the last highlight, but it was not enough...Lander would go ahead and get the W...63-to-52.